Braves have reached full desperation mode.
The Atlanta Braves have reached such straw-grasping levels of desperation after their epic collapse Thursday afternoon, they’re reaching all the way back into the past for any help they can get. Craig Kimbrel is on his way to the big club.
In the wake of today’s ninth-inning collapse, the Braves are summoning Craig Kimbrel from Triple A, source tells @TheAthletic
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 5, 2025
It’s uncertain if going from the Gwinnett Braves to the Atlanta Braves is actually a promotion at this point but the Braves just gave up a 7-run ninth inning to blow a 6-run lead so “it’s not like it can get worse” is probably enough of a reason to make this call.
Kimbrel has pitched well in the minors this season, posting a 2.00 ERA and a 2.42 FIP over 18 innings pitched and striking out almost 12 per 9 innings. It should be noted for the fans who remember the Craig Kimbrel who threw 98-100 mph more than a decade ago for the Braves that he’s not that pitcher anymore. 2025 Craig Kimbrel sits more in the 93-94 mph range and still throws that knuckle-curve to help get swings and misses.
Of course some organizations decide to upgrade their bullpen during the winter by signing Major League free agents or trading for Major League caliber arms. The Braves decided minor league deals and reclamation projects were more to their liking and you can tell it’s going super well by how they are now in full need of the 37-year Kimbrel to come up and produce.
We’ll see how it goes.