Kimbrel is still building up his velocity at Triple-A Gwinnett, and there's no timeline for him to be added to Atlanta's 26-man roster, Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Atlanta's bullpen needs help behind closer Raisel Iglesias, but it's not clear when Kimbrel might be able to bolster the team's relief corps. The 36-year-old has thrown 7.1 innings over seven appearances between Gwinnett and Double-A Columbus, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB, but his fastball velocity has mainly been sitting in the low 90s, a step back even from the 93.9 mph he averaged in 2024. "I learned last year when it comes to velocity, the velocity itself doesn't really matter as much as how I use my pitches, masking my pitches," Kimbrel said Wednesday. "I don't throw 100 mph anymore, so I can't just go out there and try to throw it by everybody. So it's taking the mindset of a pitcher and using my pitches to get guys out." Kimbrel sits fifth on MLB's all-time save list with 440, with the first 186 coming in an Atlanta uniform, but he's unlikely to add much to that total in his second stint with the team.
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Braves' Craig Kimbrel: Joins Double-A roster
Rotowire
Kimbrel has been assigned to the Double-A Columbus roster, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Signed to a minor-league contract in mid-March, Kimbrel had been getting ramped up at Atlanta's spring training complex in Florida and is now ready to appear in games. The veteran reliever should eventually move up to Triple-A Gwinnett and, if all goes well, the plan is for him to join the big-league roster sometime in May.
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Braves' Craig Kimbrel: Not yet facing hitters
Rotowire
Manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that Kimbrel is still ramping up at the team's complex in Florida but hasn't begun facing hitters yet, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game Atlanta reports.
Kimbrel got off to a late start preparing for the season, as he didn't sign with Atlanta until close to the end of spring training. There's no telling when he might begin facing live opponents, but the plan is still for him to join the big-league club sometime in May if he proves to be effective in the minor leagues.
Braves' Craig Kimbrel: Headed to Atlanta on MiLB deal
Rotowire
Kimbrel signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Kimbrel showed flashes of his old self with the Orioles last year, but inconsistency led him to finish the season with a 5.33 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 52.1 innings while converting 23 of his 29 save opportunities. Now entering his age-37 season, the right-hander will get another chance to prove he can still perform at a high level with the organization that drafted him back in 2008. Even if Kimbrel makes his way back into the majors, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to perform anywhere near the level he was at when he last wore an Atlanta uniform.
