Following a brutal ninth inning collapse on Thursday, the Atlanta Braves bullpen will look much different moving forward. After the game, the team announced they are promoting Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A Gwinnett.
After their 9th inning collapse, the Braves call up Craig Kimbrel from Triple A, per @Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/UwgOxpCco5
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 5, 2025
Craig Kimbrel back for second Braves stint
Over 11 years after the Braves shipped him to the San Diego Padres just before Opening Day of 2015, the former iconic closer is officially back in the A. Kimbrel was signed to a minor league deal during Spring Training, and he has compiled 18 innings this season between Double and Triple-A. Despite diminished fastball velocity, the surface stats look good. Kimbrel has pitched to a 2.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts to nine walks.
The Huntsville, AL native became a fan favorite during a dominant stretch with the Braves at the beginning of his career. Kimbrel led the National League in saves and made the All Star team all four years from 2011-2014. He has since bounced around between seven teams, most recently the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, where he struggled to a 5.33 ERA. The Braves have not yet announced if Kimbrel will usurp Raisel Iglesias as the closer after the latter’s most recent blowup outing.
More moves as bullpen gets a full makeover
In a corresponding move, the Braves placed right-hander Daysbel Hernandez on the Injured List with an injury to his right pinkie finger. Hernandez was removed from Wednesday’s game with what manager Brian Snitker called a cramp in the finger, and the ailment is apparently bad enough to warrant some extended time off. Hernandez has been one of the Braves’ best relievers this season, pitching to a 2.22 ERA in 24 1/3 innings, many of which have been high leverage.
One move wasn’t enough, though, as the team also designated fellow right-hander Scott Blewett for assignment. Blewett allowed five runs in Thursday’s 11-10 loss to Arizona, which shot his season ERA up from 2.25 to 3.91. Blewett, originally acquired from the Orioles in late April, sees his Braves tenure end in dramatically unspectacular fasion.
In a corresponding move for Blewett, the Braves recalled lefty Dylan Dodd from Gwinnett. A career “4-A” guy, Dodd has only thrown 1 2/3 innings with the big league club in brief stints this year. He has a 5.40 ERA in the minor leagues on the season.
Main Photo Credits: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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