Craig Kimbrel Designated for Assignment by Orioles Amid 2024 MLB Playoff Race

The Baltimore Orioles announced that they have designated relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel for assignment. Right-handed pitcher Bryan Baker has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

The 36-year-old Kimbrel went 7-5 with a 5.33 ERA and 23 saves over 57 games in 2024. He had a 2.10 ERA on July 7 but posted an 11.50 ERA in 19 games from July 14 to Sept. 17.

Kimbrel allowed nine earned runs over his final three appearances, including six in two-thirds of an inning in a 10-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

The Orioles made the move amid their current bid for a playoff spot.

The 84-67 O's, who are 2-7 in their last nine contests, sit second in the AL East, four games in back of the New York Yankees with 11 games remaining.

A wild card bid seems all but certain, though. Baltimore owns the first AL wild card spot right now. The 79-73 Detroit Tigers are the first team out in that race, five-and-a-half games back.

Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star, has enjoyed a long and prosperous career. He's amassed 440 saves over a 15-year MLB stint and notably enjoyed a three-year stretch (2012-2014) where he posted a 1.27 ERA and 139 saves with the Atlanta Braves. Kimbrel has also finished top nine in the Cy Young voting on five different occasions.

But his command has been a problem this year. Thomas Nestico provided more information.

Unfortunately, it didn't work out in Baltimore, which hasn't fared well overall in the bullpen this year. Per MLB.com, the team's 4.17 ERA ranks 21st in the bigs.

Baltimore needed a closer this offseason after Félix Bautista underwent Tommy John surgery, costing him the end of 2023 and the entire 2024 campaign. It was a massive blow to the O's, as Bautista dominated the bigs with 33 saves and a 1.48 ERA in 2023.

The O's signed Kimbrel to a one-year deal worth $12 million (plus a 2025 team option). However, he was later removed this season from the closer role in favor of Seranthony Domínguez, who was acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Phillies.

As for Kimbrel's replacement on the roster, Baker is a 29-year-old who has made 17 appearances this year, notching a 4.71 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 21 innings. In four years, Baker is 9-7 lifetime in the bigs with a 3.69 ERA (1.23 WHIP) and a 9.6 K/9 rate.