Philadelphia Phillies reliever Craig Kimbrel struck out one over a perfect inning to earn the save during Saturday's 4-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. He entered the game in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. The Phillies turned to Kimbrel on Saturday after left-hander Jose Alvarado pitched in three of the last four games. Kimbrel made quick work of the Rockies, needing only eight pitches to earn his second save of the season. The 34-year-old owns a 5.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and an 11:6 K: BB across nine innings in 2023. Kimbrel has converted both save opportunities and recorded three holds this season. Despite being in a closer-by-committee with Alvarado, Kimbrel remains a valuable fantasy option in all league formats.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Craig Kimbrel notched his first save of the season on Friday when he closed out the 5-2 win against the Cincinnati Reds. It was the first save of the Phillies season but might be an indication the club will role with the longtime reliever to lead the closer committee. Kimbrel was solid in 2022, producing a 3.75 ERA with 22 saves as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, though he posted a career-low 27.7% strikeout rate and an inflated 1.32 WHIP across 60 innings. So far, he's struggled this year with a 15.43 ERA, a pair of strikeouts, and four walks through 2.1 innings of work. At 34 years old, Kimbrel isn't the same pitcher who earned himself 332 saves from 2011-2018, but he's still a valuable option in every league, with the potential to help in four categories.

After the Philadelphia Phillies removed Corey Knebel from the closer's role in June, the ninth inning became a closer-by-committee situation, and 11 different relievers recorded a save in 2022, which was a franchise record. The Phillies signed active saves leader Craig Kimbrel to a $10 million deal just before Christmas, but all indications are that the team's closer-by-committee approach will continue in 2023. Kimbrel will not enter his first year with the team as the set closer. Instead, the Phillies plan for him to be one of many late-inning relievers that the team trusts, according to major-league sources. It's bad news for Kimbrel's fantasy value as a closer, as he'll likely be battling Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alvarado for save chances. The 35-year-old Kimbrel was so bad in the second half of 2022 with the Dodgers that he was left off the playoff roster, so his fantasy stock takes another hit heading into next season.

Right-hander Craig Kimbrel and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal this past Friday. The Phillies have been one of the more active teams this offseason and have slowly pieced together a World Series-caliber squad. Philadelphia's acquisition of Kimbrel is certainly a step in the right direction. The 34-year-old spent his 2022 season with the Dodgers and posted a 3.75 ERA across 63 appearances. He collected 22 saves, with a 27.7 K% and 72 punchouts. His prime years may be in the past, but Kimbrel has some fuel left in the tank. The right-hander will have the first shot at cracking the team's closer role, but other competitors such as Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alvaradocould also see save opportunities.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel was not named as part of the team's roster for the National League Division Series on Tuesday. The veteran pitched to a 3.75 ERA and a 3.23 FIP in 60 regular season innings. He also logged 72 strikeouts to go along with 28 walks allowed. While Kimbrel registered 22 saves, he also was credited with five blown saves. The Dodgers will go with Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Tommy Kahnle, Chris Martin, Brusdar Graterol, and Yency Almonte in the bullpen against the San Diego Padres.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel will no longer be used in save situations, according to manager Dave Roberts. He continued by saying the team will look to use Kimbrel in other spots for the rest of the regular season. That being said, Kimbrel will basically lose all his fantasy value, assuming he doesn't get anymore saves chances. The most likely outcome is that the Dodgers decide to go closer by committee. Brusdar Graterol, Chris Martin, Evan Phillips, and Alex Vesia will likely all be in the mix for saves.

Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts was as non-committal as he's been all year about closer Craig Kimbrel's usage in the ninth inning after the 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night. Roberts noted Kimbrel's stuff has "started to backslide" and repeated that the team needs to have "our best" in those spots at this time of the year. "It's something that I'm just gonna think through," Roberts said. Kimbrel got the win on Thursday, but he allowed a solo home run and a walk and hit a batter in the outing. The 34-year-old veteran has 22 saves on the year, but he hasn't been great by any means with a 4.14 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 54 1/3 innings pitched. If Kimbrel is booted from the ninth-inning role down the stretch or in the playoffs, it could be either Evan Phillips or Alex Vesia who get the save chances in LA.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel kept everyone on the edge of their seats, as he has for most of the season, in Monday's 3-2 extra-innings win over the Marlins. Kimbrel came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth with the game tied at two and got a quick 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. He stayed in to pitch the 10th inning with a one-run lead and a ghost runner on second. He walked the first batter, got a force out at second base, and then walked another batter to put runners on the corners before being replaced by Chris Martin, who was able to end the game with the runners stranded. Kimbrel has converted 21 of 25 save opportunities this season and has four wins but has not pitched well with a 4.14 ERA and 4.14 BB/9. Furthermore, he has not seen a save opportunity in over 10 days while three other Dodgers have gotten chances. Kimbrel offers little fantasy upside at this point in the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel blew his fourth save of the season and took his fifth loss in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Brewers. Kimbrel came in to pitch the bottom of the 11th inning with a one-run lead and a ghost runner on second. He allowed a leadoff single, got an out on a strikeout, walked the bases loaded, and allowed a two-run single to end the game. However, manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he still isn't considering a change at closer, per Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris. Kimbrel has been frustrating for fantasy managers once again this season, as he does have 20 saves but also has a 4.57 ERA. It sounds as though his job security is still there, but fantasy managers may consider benching him if they have other options given his recent volatility.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel has not been a reliable option throughout most of the season. On Friday, the veteran reliever was asked to take the ball with a three-run lead against the Colorado Rockies. That quickly turned into a one-run lead for the Dodgers, but Kimbrel managed to close the door. He earned his 18th save of the season, but continues to be a shaky option. Fantasy managers in need of saves can hold onto Kimbrel, but he's clearly not in his prime anymore.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. The 2022 campaign hasn't gone smoothly for Kimbrel, but he did his job in this one. He allowed a bunt single to Brandon Belt, but retired the rest of the Giants hitters to convert his 16th save of the season. As already mentioned, Kimbrel has struggled at times this season, but he remains an high-end option for fantasy managers in leagues where saves matter on one of the best teams in baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said that closer Craig Kimbrel (back) is undergoing a CT scan on Tuesday after X-rays came back negative. Kimbrel was hit by a line drive against the San Diego Padres when he blew a save on Sunday in the series finale. Fantasy managers need to prepare for the possibility that he'll land on the injured list to close out the first half of the season. The 34-year-old does have 14 saves for the first-place Dodgers, but it hasn't been pretty, as he's also sporting a 4.78 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 41 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings. Yency Almonte picked up the save with Kimbrel unavailable on Monday, but Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol could enter the closing mix if Kimbrel misses more time.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel (back) was hit hard in his back by a line drive off the bat of San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth on Sunday. Kimbrel stated on Monday that his back was sore, but that he thought he'd only need a day or two before being ready to pitch again. The Dodgers are back on the field against the Colorado Rockies on Monday. If a save chance arises on Monday, we're likely to see either Evan Phillips or Brusdar Graterol pitch the ninth. Expect an update on Kimbrel's status ahead of Tuesday's game. He's day-to-day for now.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel locked down his 13th save of the season on Friday night in the 4-1 win over his former team, the Atlanta Braves. Kimbrel allowed one hit and struck out one in his inning of work. Things haven't gone great for the hard-throwing right-hander in his first year as the Dodgers closer, as he has a 4.30 ERA in 23 innings pitched, but he's the closer on one of the best teams in baseball. The 34-year-old has also only blown one save this year and has struck out 35 hitters in his 23 innings of work for LA.

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed closer Craig Kimbrel on the paternity list on Tuesday and recalled relief pitcher Phil Bickford from the minors in a corresponding move. Kimbrel is required to miss one to three days while on paternity leave, so fantasy managers will be without him for a short time this week. The 34-year-old right-hander was recently given a short break to work out some mechanical issues, and he's since allowed no earned runs while walking none and striking out four while recording a save in three innings over two outings. He has a 4.00 ERA overall, but he also has 25 strikeouts and 11 saves in 18 innings pitched, making him a highly valuable fantasy closer. Daniel Hudson should see any save chances that come up with Kimbrel out this week.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 11th save of the year on Thursday as he closed out the team's 2-0 victory over the New York Mets. He pitched a perfect ninth inning, retiring each of the three batters he faced while recording a strikeout. Kimbrel was unavailable for Wednesday's game as he was working on fixing some mechanical issues. He had allowed a total of four earned runs over his previous three appearances. The 34-year-old now has a 4.50 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP on the year.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team has given closer Craig Kimbrel a couple of days to clean up some of his mechanical issues, and he will not be available on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberts said that Kimbrel has been too rotational in his delivery. The good news is that the 34-year-old right-hander will pitch again by Friday, so fantasy managers won't be without him for long. In his last appearance on Monday against Pittsburgh, Kimbrel blew the save while allowing two runs (one earned) while walking one and striking out two. He's allowed runs in each of his last three outings, although he did record one save. On the year, Kimbrel has a 4.80 ERA (2.61 FIP), a 1.40 WHIP, 10 saves and 21 K's in 15 innings. If a save situation arises on Wednesday, expect Daniel Hudson to get the nod in the ninth inning.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel wasn't able to convert on his save opportunity against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday. Entering in the ninth inning of a game that the Dodgers were leading 5-4, Kimbrel wound up giving up one hit, one walk and two runs (one earned) while striking out two. In addition to the blown save, Kimbrel was also tagged with the loss for the game. The veteran had converted each of his previous 10 save opportunities this year before Monday's outing. He owns a 4.80 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP on the year. Despite those ugly ratios, he still maintains a firm hold on the closer role for the team.

Los Angeles Dodgers picked up a shaky seventh save of the season in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Diamondbacks. Kimbrel entered the game to pitch the ninth inning up by two. He allowed a leadoff walk, struck out the next two hitters, allowed the runner to advance to third on selective indifference and a balk, then score on a single, and finally got a strikeout to end the game. Kimbrel has yet to blow a save this season and has a respectable 3.38 ERA, but he has now allowed three earned runs over his last two outings. Kimbrel has not been quite as strong of a fantasy asset over the past few seasons as he had been earlier in his career, but fantasy managers should still trust him at this time.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel earned his fifth save of the year on Tuesday as he closed out the team's 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. The right-hander got into some trouble in the ninth inning as he allowed a hit and a walk, but he was able to close out the inning without allowing any runs. Kimbrel is now 5-for-5 in save opportunities this year. He has a 1.35 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 6.2 innings.