Kimbrel Designated for Assignment as Orioles Seek to Reignite Season
Kimbrel Designated for Assignment as Orioles Seek to Reignite Season
In a significant move aimed at breathing life into their bullpen, the Baltimore Orioles have designated veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment. This decision mirrors a season that has taken an unexpected downturn for both Kimbrel and the Orioles.
Kimbrel’s Struggles on the Mound
The 36-year-old right-hander has found himself in a spiral of underperformance recently. Kimbrel allowed six runs on three hits and two walks during a dismal outing against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night, escalating his ERA from 2.80 before the All-Star break to a concerning 5.33 over his last 18 appearances. This stretch saw him give up 22 runs—20 of which were earned—on 22 hits and 15 walks, leading to a grim ERA of 10.59 over 17 innings. Despite striking out 20 batters during this span, it was clear that Kimbrel was no longer the reliable closer he once was.
Managerial decisions followed this decline. Kimbrel was removed from the closer's role, a position he held with prestige, ranking fifth all-time in saves and second among active pitchers. His recent performance marks the third season since 2019 where his ERA+ has fallen below 90.
Baker Steps Up
In response, the Orioles have called up Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk. The 29-year-old right-hander has already made 17 appearances at the major league level this season and 130 in his career, coming in with an overall 108 ERA+. With Seranthony Domínguez holding the closer role for the past month, Baker’s addition could potentially shore up the middle innings, a critical need for Baltimore.
Orioles’ Playoff Positioning
The Orioles have had their fair share of struggles as a team, holding a 26-29 record since the All-Star break. They currently sit four games behind the Yankees in the AL East but maintain a four-game advantage in the AL wild-card race. As these numbers suggest, the postseason remains within reach, but the club needs to recapture the "mojo" it had earlier in the season.
General Manager Mike Elias noted the waves the team has navigated in recent months: "The mojo that we've had has just drifted away from us the last few months. There are reasons for it that are obvious, but a lot of it is we've got people here that are experiencing a downturn—whether it's themselves or the team."
Elias's comments resonate strongly within the context of Kimbrel's season. Once a fireballer capable of outmatching any hitter, Kimbrel's downturn has mirrored that of his team.
Looking Ahead
The Orioles' decision to designate Kimbrel for assignment underscores a broader strategy to reenergize their pitching staff and reconfigure their roster for a meaningful push toward October baseball. With Baker stepping up and Domínguez solidifying the closer position, there is cautious optimism within the Baltimore camp.
While it's always a painful decision to move on from a player with Kimbrel’s pedigree and past success, baseball remains a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately sport. The Orioles are hoping that this bold move sends a clear message: they are committed to revitalizing their season and seizing the opportunity that remains in their playoff push.
As the season barrels toward its conclusion, all eyes will be on the new dynamics within the Orioles' bullpen and whether these changes can spark a resurgence in Baltimore’s fortunes.
