Orioles Designate Craig Kimbrel for Assignment, Promote Bryan Baker
Orioles Designate Craig Kimbrel for Assignment, Promote Bryan Baker
In a significant roster shake-up, the Baltimore Orioles have designated veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment, calling up right-hander Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk. This decision marks a pivotal moment in what has been an up-and-down season for the Orioles bullpen.
Craig Kimbrel, who turned 36 this year, has been a notable presence in MLB for over a decade, ranking fifth all-time in saves and second among active pitchers in the same category. Despite his historic success, recent performances have been far below his career standards. Kimbrel's struggles became glaringly apparent this season as his ERA ballooned to 5.33 over his last 18 appearances, a stark contrast to the 2.80 ERA he maintained before the All-Star break.
During a recent outing against the San Francisco Giants, Kimbrel allowed six runs on three hits and two walks, further contributing to his inflated ERA. Over this troubling 18-appearance span, Kimbrel has given up 22 runs (20 earned) on 22 hits and 15 walks, while managing only 20 strikeouts across 17 innings, resulting in a 10.59 ERA.
Given these struggles, the Orioles had already removed Kimbrel from the closer's role earlier in the season, with Seranthony DomÃnguez taking over closing duties for the past month. "The mojo that we've had has just drifted away from us the last few months," noted Orioles' General Manager Mike Elias. "There are reasons for it that are obvious, but a lot of it is we've got people here that are experiencing a downturn -- whether it's themselves or the team," Elias added, alluding to Kimbrel's recent performance issues.
Transitioning to the majors is Bryan Baker, a 29-year-old right-hander with a solid track record in Triple-A. Baker has made 17 appearances at the major league level this season and has accumulated 130 appearances in his career. With an overall ERA+ of 108, the Orioles are hopeful that Baker can provide much-needed stability to their bullpen as they push towards the postseason.
The Orioles' bullpen woes are set against a backdrop of fluctuating team performance. Since the All-Star break, the team holds a 26-29 record and currently sits four games behind the Yankees in the AL East. Despite this, they maintain a four-game advantage in the AL wild-card race, keeping their postseason aspirations alive.
This season has been particularly challenging, not just for Kimbrel but for the Orioles as a whole. The latest roster move underscores the team's commitment to finding the right combination of talent to finish the season strong. For Kimbrel, this marks his third season since 2019 with an ERA+ below 90, raising questions about his future in the major leagues.
The decision to designate Kimbrel for assignment and promote Baker reflects the Orioles' broader strategy of making tough decisions in pursuit of consistency and success. The hope is that new blood in the bullpen could reignite some of the team's early-season momentum.
As the Orioles focus on clinching a wild-card spot, all eyes will be on how the bullpen adjusts and performs in these crucial remaining games. For Craig Kimbrel, this assignment may serve as a turning point in a storied career that now faces considerable uncertainty.
