SAN FRANCISCO — Craig Kimbrel’s stay with the Atlanta Braves lasted just one day as the team designated the franchise’s career saves leader for assignment Saturday and recalled left-handed pitcher Austin Cox.
The Braves had selected Kimbrel from Triple-A Gwinnett and recalled left-hander Dylan Dodd before opening a road series against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night. Kimbrel pitched a scoreless seventh inning in the Braves’ 5-4 loss in 10 innings, but it was far from impressive. He allowed a leadoff single to Heliot Ramos, but got bailed out when Sean Murphy threw out Ramos trying to steal second. Kimbrel then walked Jung Hoo Lee, but picked him off first and struck out Wilmer Flores to get out of the inning.
The 37-year-old Kimbrel had been called up from the minors a day after Atlanta blew a 10-4 ninth-inning lead against Arizona and lost 11-10, the first time the Braves lost a game after leading by at least six runs in the ninth since 1973.
Kimbrel spent his first five seasons in the big leagues with Atlanta, leading the league in saves each year from 2011 to 2014. His 186 saves are the most ever for a Braves pitcher. He was traded to San Diego before the 2015 season opener, and he has pitched for several teams since.
Kimbrel spent the 2024 season with the Orioles after signing a one-year, $13 million deal, going 7-5 with a 5.33 ERA and 23 saves as the replacement for injured closer Félix Bautista before being cut in September.
