Atlanta Braves signing former All-Star reliever from Alabama

Craig Kimbrel started his Major League Baseball career with the Atlanta Braves in 2010. Could the nine-time All-Star end his career with the Braves, too?

Atlanta and Kimbrel have agreed to a minor-league contract, MLB Network and FOX Sports reported on Tuesday.

Kimbrel has been out of baseball since he was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 18.

When he earned his 23rd save of the 2024 season on July 7, Kimbrel had a 5-2 record with a 2.10 earned-run average. In 34.1 innings, he had struck out 52 while yielding 17 hits and 14 walks. Baltimore had a 32-6 record in the games in which Kimbrel pitched.

But after that date, Kimbrel had a 2-3 record with a 11.50 ERA. In 18 innings, he struck out 21 while yielding 23 hits and 17 walks. The Orioles had a 7-12 record in the games in which Kimbrel pitched.

The Braves have Raisel Inglesias at the back of their bullpen again in 2025 after he posted 33 saves in 2023 and 34 saves in 2024.

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A former Lee-Huntsville and Wallace State-Hanceville standout, Kimbrel made his big-league debut with the Braves on May 7, 2010, and went on to pitch in 21 games with an 0.44 ERA that season.

The next season, Kimbrel was the National League Rookie of the Year as he led the circuit in saves for the first of four straight years for Atlanta.

The Braves traded Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres on April 5, 2015, and before signing with the Orioles last offseason, Kimbrel also pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.

With 440 saves, Kimbrel ranks fifth in baseball history, and he was chosen for the MLB All-Star Game in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Kimbrel was The Sporting News’ National League Pitcher of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and the American League Pitcher of the Year in 2017.

In 837 regular-season games, Kimbrel has a 56-47 record with a 2.59 ERA. In 809.2 innings, he has struck out 1,265 while yielding 482 hits and 339 walks.

Kimbrel also has pitched in 30 postseason games. He has an 0-3 record with a 4.50 ERA and 10 saves in the playoffs.

In 2018, Kimbrel won a World Series ring with the Boston Red Sox.

Kimbrel pitched for Baltimore for $12 million last season and got a $1 million buyout of the club option for the 2025 season. ESPN reported Kimbrel’s deal with the Braves would be $2 million for 2025 if he reached the Major Leagues.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.