The Atlanta Braves called up right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A Gwinnett on June 5, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, after their bullpen gave up seven earned runs in the top of the ninth inning during an 11-10 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at home.
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
Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star, has a 2.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts over 18 innings pitched in 18 appearances this season between two minor league levels.
Craig Kimbrel is reportedly joining the @Braves ????
The 9-time All-Star has a 2.00 ERA with 23 K's in 18 IP across 18 appearances between two levels this season. pic.twitter.com/1DuFmGW3o4
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 5, 2025
David O’Brien of The Athletic reported on June 5 that the Braves placed right-hander Daysbel Hernández on the injured list, designated right-hander Scott Blewett for assignment, and recalled left-hander Dylan Dodd—moves corresponding with Kimbrel’s promotion.
In addition to bringing up Craig Kimbrel, the #Braves are going to put RH Daysbel Hernández on the IL, a source told The Athletic, and they've DFA'd RH Scott Blewett and and recalled LH Dylan Dodd.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 5, 2025
Only Dodd’s recall appeared on the Braves’ official transaction log for June 5.
Kimbrel ranks fifth all-time in Major League Baseball history with 440 career saves, trailing active leader Kenley Jansen, who has 459.
In his 15-year MLB career, Kimbrel has pitched for the Braves (2010–14), San Diego Padres (2015), Boston Red Sox (2016–18), Chicago Cubs (2019–21), Chicago White Sox (2021), Los Angeles Dodgers (2022), Philadelphia Phillies (2023), and Baltimore Orioles (2024). He rejoined Atlanta on a minor league deal signed March 18 and was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett the same day.
He was later optioned to Double-A Mississippi on April 14 and did not appear in big league spring training. The 37-year-old from Huntsville, Alabama made three appearances at Double-A, throwing 3.1 scoreless innings with no hits, one walk, and six strikeouts before being assigned back to Gwinnett on April 22.
With Triple-A Gwinnett, Kimbrel appeared in 15 games out of the bullpen, posting a 1-1 record, 2.45 ERA, and three saves. He allowed eight hits, four earned runs, and eight walks, while striking out 17.
Last season, Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Orioles on September 18 and released on September 24. He went 7-5 with a 5.33 ERA over 57 appearances, recording 23 saves while allowing 40 hits, 31 earned runs, seven home runs, 31 walks, and striking out 73. His WHIP was 1.357.
In his MLB career, Kimbrel has pitched in 837 games with a 56-47 record, 2.59 ERA, and 1.014 WHIP. Over 809.2 innings, he’s allowed 482 hits, 233 earned runs, 73 home runs, 339 walks, and struck out 1,265 batters.
Kimbrel’s accolades include All-Star selections in 2011–14, 2016–18, 2021, and 2023. He won a World Series with Boston in 2018, earned National League Rookie of the Year in 2011, NL Rolaids Relief Man Award in 2012, MLB’s Delivery Man of the Year in 2013, Reliever of the Year in 2014 and 2017, and led the NL in saves from 2011–14. He also pitched in a combined no-hitter on June 24, 2021.
The Braves (27-34) will open their three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants (35-28) on Friday, June 6 at 10:15 p.m. EDT.
