Orioles let go of former All-Star closer following summer implosion

The move comes less than 24 hours after arguably the 36-year-old's worst game of his career. Kimbrel allowed a career-high six runs (all earned) on three hits with two walks, two strikeouts and one wild pitch in Tuesday's 10-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

It was his first appearance in eight days, as the team was, perhaps, giving the former NL Rookie of the Year a chance to clear his head. What's most stunning about Kimbrel's summer implosion is that he was having one of his best seasons before the All-Star break.

When Palmer blasted MLB on social media on July 8 for leaving Kimbrel out of the Midsummer Classic, the 2008 third-round pick's ERA (2.10) and WHIP (0.90) were both his lowest since 2017. Kimbrel was also tied for third in MLB in saves with 23, had a 5-2 record and had allowed eight earned runs on 17 hits with 52 strikeouts against 14 walks in 34 1/3 innings pitched over 38 outings.

The 2018 World Series champion didn't have a save after July 7 and was eventually replaced by midseason acquisition Seranthony Dominguez in the closer's role. Kimbrel entered the All-Star break with a 2.80 ERA and had nearly doubled it (5.33) by the time of Wednesday's news.

He surrendered a whopping 22 runs (20 earned) on 22 hits and 15 walks over his last 17 innings and the team has faltered in the second half with a 26-29 record.

Baltimore is four games behind the New York Yankees (88-63) in the AL East race but is two and a half up on the Kansas City Royals (82-70) for the top wild-card spot.

Kimbrel departs Baltimore fifth all-time in saves (440) and second among active pitchers, trailing only Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (446). The former also has the most ninth-inning strikeouts in MLB history (1,026).

It's too late for Kimbrel to turn around a disappointing end to his 2024 campaign, but perhaps he can return on a short-term deal looking for a veteran bullpen arm in 2025.