On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Craig Kimbrel return to the Atlanta Braves didn’t last very long. After joining the club yesterday and tossing a scoreless 1-2-3 inning in his first appearance of the season, the club announced they have designated the 37-year-old right-hander for assignment, recalling left-handed pitcher Austin Cox to take his place.
The #Braves today recalled LHP Austin Cox to Atlanta and designated RHP Craig Kimbrel for assignment.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 7, 2025
Nobody should act like Craig Kimbrel looked flawless on Friday night. He surrendered a hit and a walk to the first two batters he faced but was bailed out by a caught stealing and a pickoff. Still, it was a scoreless frame, and he struck out the last batter he faced with a perfectly placed 93 MPH fastball on the outside corner.
Craig Kimbrel closes out the 7th with a strikeout
pic.twitter.com/Q3dEUuFslU
— MLB (@MLB) June 7, 2025
Kimbrel’s not what he once was, and there’s a chance this was a proactive move by the Braves that may have saved him some embarrassment, but I can’t wrap my head around this entire process.
The Braves signed a fan favorite that grew up with the organization, let him rot in the minors for over a month, called him up for one appearance in which he tossed a scoreless frame in a high leverage situation, and then decide to release him the very next day. If this bullpen was loaded with guys that could get outs in high pressure scenarios, this might make some sense, but this relief core has been among the worst in baseball all season. What in the hell is Austin Cox going to provide that’s so much better than Craig Kimbrel.
My guess is nothing. This is yet another head scratcher that is starting to become par for the course for the Braves front office.
More must-reads:
- Injured Phillies pitcher takes big step toward return
- Yankees manager provides major update on Aaron Judge's injury
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Royals acquire outfield help in perplexing trade with Diamondbacks
The Kansas City Royals were hoping to bolster their outfield ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. They were able to do just that in a trade on Saturday. Steve Gilbert from MLB.com reported that the Royals have acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com reported that relief pitcher Andrew Hoffman will head to Arizona in exchange for Grichuk. The Royals desperately needed help in their outfield. Royals outfielders had been the worst in the majors, posting an atrocious .219/.273/.328 batting line with just 19 home runs entering Saturday's action. Although Grichuk is in the midst of a disappointing season himself, he is an immediate upgrade over whatever the Royals have sent into the outfield. Grichuk had posted a .243/.280/.462 batting line in 186 plate appearances entering Saturday, hitting seven homers and 15 doubles. In exchange, the Diamondbacks receive Hoffman, who FanGraphs ranked as the Royals' 22nd-best prospect entering the season. His upper-90s fastball and new kick change are both considered plus offerings, although his ability to command his arsenal is questionable at best. Hoffman's potential and flaws were evident this season. He made his major league debut for the Royals, allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings, striking out five. However, Hoffman had dominated at Triple-A, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP over his 40 innings, striking out 55 batters with just 10 walks. He is another intriguing addition for a Diamondbacks team that has prioritized pitching in their two trades thus far. The same upside does not exist for the Royals. Kansas City had the same record as the Diamondbacks entering the second game of their doubleheader against the Guardians. Grichuk signed a one-year contract with $5 million guaranteed for 2025. There is a mutual option worth $5 million, with a $3 million buyout, for 2026. Theoretically, Grichuk could be part of the Royals' plans next season. However, mutual options are rarely picked up. As the Royals are currently under .500 and need to pass four teams in the standings to seize the final wild-card spot, adding a rental option does not make sense. It is possible that both sides can work out an arrangement for 2026, but unless that happens, the Royals' latest move is questionable at best.
Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
Green Bay Packers 3rd Year Receiver Turning Heads At Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. A big reason for this is their wide receiver room. For the past three seasons, they have relied on rookies and second-year players to carry the load on offense from a pass-catching perspective. However, that has led to some inconsistent play. Last year, drops were a huge issue, especially for former fifth-round pick Dontayvion Wicks. He was able to get open but would drop the ball in key moments. Wicks is determined to change the narrative and is already turning heads in training camp. Green Bay Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks Looking Good Wicks was the star of the 2-minute drill during Friday’s training camp practice. He found a hole in the zone and ran the post route. Quarterback Jordan Love saw him immediately and unloaded a long ball. The former Virginia receiver was all alone and caught a 49-yard touchdown pass to end the drill. This was one of the many great plays Wicks made throughout the practice. He was asked about the play after the practice. “I knew I had the post,” Wicks said. “I had a man on me. I released, ran full speed. I knew X was over the top. So I stemmed out a little bit and broke flat across. It was a runaway, and J-Love gave me the ball and I ran under it, and that was all from there.” This is great news for the Green Bay Packers. Drops can often be attributed to a lack of confidence. They can snowball. Once a player drops one pass, it can snowball into more drops. The same can be said about catches. Once a player gets confidence, it can be hard to stop. If Dontayvion Wicks has gotten his confidence, the league should watch out. No Problems Getting Open Wicks had no problems getting open last year. According to ESPN Analytics, he was open on 84% of his routes, thanks to a quick burst off the snap and his ability to find gaps in the zone. However, getting open doesn’t matter if a player can’t bring in the ball. The Green Bay Packers hope this is the start of a new player in 2025. Matthew Golden has also looked good in training camp, and Jayden Reed has vowed to drop fewer passes as well in 2025. If that trio can haul in passes, this offense could be one of the best in the league. Final Thoughts We always have to be cautious about training camp news. It can sometimes point to what will happen in the season, but not always. However, this seems like a step in the right direction for the Green Bay Packers. If Wicks gains confidence now, that should carry over into the season.
Terry McLaurin makes big decision amid his contract holdout
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been seeking a contract extension this offseason, but he is no longer holding out for a new deal. McLaurin began training camp as a holdout earlier this week, as he did not show up to the team facility on the first day of mandatory practice. The veteran is now officially in the building, although he is still not practicing. McLaurin reported to training camp on Sunday morning. The Commanders announced that they have moved him from the reserve/did not report list to the active/physically unable to perform list. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that McLaurin has "some sort of ankle injury." Schefter also said that McLaurin's decision to show up to work is not an indication that the Commanders have made progress in extension talks with their star receiver. By showing up for training camp, McLaurin will no longer be subject to fines of $50,000 per day. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters he is "really pumped" to have McLaurin back with the team. McLaurin is in the final year of a three-year, $68M extension he signed in 2022. He is reportedly seeking to become one of the five highest-paid receivers in the NFL, which would mean an average annual salary of around $32M or more. McLaurin led Washington last season with 82 receptions, 117 targets and 1,096 receiving yards. He also had 13 touchdown catches, which was second in the NFL. Though the Commanders acquired Deebo Samuel in a trade this offseason, McLaurin has a close relationship with Jayden Daniels. The second-year quarterback made that clear recently when speaking about his teammate. McLaurin will turn 30 in September. He is trying to capitalize on signing an extension in the wake of his fifth consecutive season with 1,000 or more receiving yards.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
