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Braves call up former All-Star after blowing game

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 5:44 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves suffered a brutal defeat on Thursday and responded by turning to a 37-year-old former All-Star.

The Braves are calling Craig Kimbrel up from Triple-A Gwinnett, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The move comes after Atlanta blew a 10-4 ninth inning lead on Thursday by allowing seven runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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

The Braves might be feeling a bit desperate at this point. Closer Raisel Iglesias has blown four saves this season after Thursday’s game and has a 6.75 ERA. They need bullpen arms, and while Kimbrel has walked eight in 14.2 innings at Triple-A this season, he is the best they have at this point.

Kimbrel’s last MLB appearance came in 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles. He posted a 5.33 ERA, struggled with control and home runs, and was released just before the playoffs.

The hope for the Braves is that Kimbrel can find some of his old form and provide a little bit of consistency in their bullpen. They very badly need whatever they can get at this point. Thursday’s loss dropped them to 27-34 on the season, and they are already 11.5 games out of first place in the National League East.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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