2025 Transactions: Kimbrel to Astros, Gomber Released

Houston dipped into the free agent well multiple times this season, signing Enyel De Los Santos and Hector Neris to fill out their rotation. Now, the Astros will try Craig Kimbrel, who signed with the team on August 22.

Astros officially sign Kimbrel

The Astros officially signed reliever Craig Kimbrel on August 22, one day after the Rangers released him to pursue a Major League opportunity. Kimbrel signed with Texas after he was DFA’d by the Atlanta Braves this past spring.

As noted back in June, Kimbrel’s velocity has been on a slow turn downward. He topped out at 95 MPH this season in Round Rock (AAA) and sat largely in the 93-94 MPH range. That lines up roughly with where he was with Gwinnett (AAA) this season.

Now, he’ll look to provide support for an Astros bullpen that’s going through injury trouble. Josh Hader and Bennett Sousa are currently on the IL.

Kimbrel threw a scoreless inning in June for the Braves, his lone appearance in the Majors this season.

Rockies release Gomber

The Rockies released Austin Gomber on August 22, days after the team placed him on waivers. Colorado will be on the hook for the rest of his $6.35MM salary this season.

Gomber joined the Rockies in the 2021 season as part of the Nolan Arenado trade. He pitched well with the Cardinals across his first two Major League seasons before joining Colorado. However, he had his ups and downs with the Rockies.

This year, Gomber conceded 16 home runs across 57.2 IP and had a 14.5% Barrel%, in the first percentile of Major League Baseball.

Gomber’s fastball has lost a step in years, as his heater, traditionally a high-carry one that sat in the low-90s, averaged at 89 MPH this season.

The left-hander had enough experience to enter free agency after the 2025 season. Now, he’ll head there two months early.