Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) pitches in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field in 2024. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Atlanta Braves to Promote Possible Hall of Famer From Triple-A Team to Major League Roster

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 4:28 PM ET

After they allowed seven runs in the ninth inning in an 11-10 loss on Thursday, the Atlanta Braves are promoting possible Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A Gwinnett. Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic' had the information.

He signed a minor-league deal with the Braves back on March 18 and has been working his way through the minor leagues since then. He's appeared in 18 games this season across multiple levels, going 0-0 with a 2.00 ERA. He's recorded two saves, striking out 23 batters in 18.0 innings. He had a 0.94 WHIP.

After blowing a 6-run lead in the ninth, the Braves are calling up Craig Kimbrel pic.twitter.com/ifBZPWk9k0
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 5, 2025

A 15-year veteran, Kimbrel is a nine-time All-Star, a Rookie of the Year winner and a World Series champion (2018). He's played for the Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles.

He served as the O's closer last year, struggling to the tune of a 5.33 ERA in 57 games. He had 23 saves. Lifetime, he has 440 saves, which is good enough for fifth on the all-time list behind Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Lee Smith and Kenley Jansen.

The Braves are one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this season, sitting at 27-34 after Thursday's loss. Scott Blewett and Raisel Iglesias combined to blow the game on Thursday, and it's unclear exactly which role Kimbrel will slot into.

The Braves will be back in action on Friday night when they take on the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. First pitch is 10:15 p.m. ET.