Jul 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) prepares to throw a pitch during the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Orioles designated pitcher Craig Kimbrel for assignment on Wednesday, one day after he allowed six runs in less than an inning of relief.
Kimbrel, 36, is top-five on MLB's career save list and had a solid start to the season with Baltimore. In 39 games before the All-Star break, the righthander posted a 2.80 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP while collecting 23 saves.
In 18 appearances in the second half, however, Kimbrel's ERA was 10.59 and his WHIP was 2.18.
Kimbrel's season trajectory was similar to that of his 2023 stint with the Phillies, when a strong first half sent him to the All-Star game. In the Phils' NLCS against Arizona, Kimbrel allowed four runs on five hits and four walks in just three innings.
Twitter reactions to the Kimbrel news did not disappoint:
The Craig Kimbrel experiment was an interesting one…
- April & May he had a 2.99 ERA
- June he was fantastic with a 0.96 ERA
- July was awful, posting a 6.52 ERA
- August was even worse with a 7.27 ERA
- September was a joke…22.09 ERA
Pre All-Star Kimbrel had a 2.80 ERA
Post… pic.twitter.com/EIvbKpPcuz
.
craig interest
kimbrel rates
🤝
cut at a little
over 5.00 pic.twitter.com/lUgbvKTxfd
— lauren (@Very__Regular) September 18, 2024
THE ORIOLES DFA’D CRAIG KIMBREL LMAO 😂 pic.twitter.com/CCJxxNqLZW
Craig Kimbrel on waivers pic.twitter.com/HiiumSm5hD
Orioles fans reaction to the Craig Kimbrel news pic.twitter.com/fUEc7tDhLI
Will Craig Kimbrel enter the Hall of Fame wearing an Orioles hat???
Me, right now, seeing this Kimbrel news after seeing how he shit the bed and ruined the Phillies WS chances last year: https://t.co/W3Vm05AJYw pic.twitter.com/HxthGjv7mF
Honestly, shame on the @Orioles front office for thinking they could get vital contribution from Kimbrel in a championship year. He’s stunk for years, and any one who watched him submarine the Phillies postseason last year knew he was toast.
Seranthony Dominguez, who the Phillies traded to Baltimore (along with Cristian Pache) in exchange for OF Austin Hays, took over as the Orioles' primary closer in August and is expected to continue in that role moving forward. Dominguez has a 3.26 ERA and nine saves since the trade.
The Dominguez storyline could make for great theater if the Phils and O's meet in this year's World Series.
