In a startling move, the Baltimore Orioles have designated veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment, marking a significant shift in their bullpen dynamics. This decision comes after a series of challenging outings for the 36-year-old pitcher, who has struggled considerably since the mid-season break.
Kimbrel's Struggles
Once one of the most feared closers in baseball, Kimbrel's performance has dramatically declined. Earlier in the season, Kimbrel maintained a respectable ERA of 2.80 heading into the All-Star break. However, since then, his ERA has ballooned to 5.33 over his last 18 appearances. During this span, Kimbrel has given up 22 runs (20 earned) on 22 hits and 15 walks, while striking out 20 batters over 17 innings—resulting in a staggering 10.59 ERA during those innings. The recent outing against the San Francisco Giants proved to be the tipping point, where he allowed six runs on three hits and two walks.
The bullpen challenges have led Orioles' manager to make the tough decision of removing Kimbrel from his role as closer, a position now filled by Seranthony Domínguez over the past month. Despite his recent struggles, Kimbrel's contributions to the game remain notable. He ranks fifth all-time in saves and second among active pitchers.
A Fresh Face
In place of Kimbrel, the Orioles have called up right-hander Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk. At 29, Baker has demonstrated potential in his appearances at the major league level this season. With 17 appearances this year and 130 in his career, he offers much-needed reinforcement to the Orioles' bullpen. Baker holds an overall ERA+ of 108, reflecting his solid performance under pressure.
A Team in Flux
The Orioles have faced a turbulent stretch since the All-Star break, holding a 26-29 record during this period, which has left them four games behind the Yankees in the tight AL East race. Despite this, they maintain a four-game advantage in the AL wild-card race, giving them a critical cushion as the season inches closer to its conclusion.
Mike Elias, General Manager of the Orioles, candidly spoke about the team’s recent performance: "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."
Kimbrel's Legacy
Craig Kimbrel's career has seen incredible highs and, more recently, challenging lows. This season is marked as his third since 2019 with an ERA+ below 90, signaling a consistent struggle to reclaim his once-dominant form. As the Orioles move forward, Kimbrel's departure from the active roster underscores the ever-evolving nature of the game and the relentless pursuit of performance and results.
For now, the Orioles will lean on younger arms and hope to stabilize their bullpen woes. Baker's inclusion is a step towards revamping their pitching staff, aiming to fortify their standing in the wild-card race and potentially catch up to their division rivals. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the Orioles’ chase for postseason success.
Only time will tell if Kimbrel's designation for assignment is a turning point for Baltimore. However, for a team still grappling with inconsistency, this shake-up could provide the spark needed to regain their lost momentum.