Phillies

The Orioles DFA’d Craig Kimbrel

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Sep 18th, 2024 · 2:26 PM EDT

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Craig Kimbrel done in Baltimore:

The Baltimore Orioles have designated Craig Kimbrel for assignment.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 18, 2024

The Orioles were warned, but did not listen. Same thing that happened last year happened this year. Kimbrel started okay, collecting 13 saves in April and May with a 2.79 ERA and three blown saves in there. Then the ERA started climbing in July, a gross 6.52 number, followed by a 7.27 ERA in nine August games. He pitched just four times in September, in games that were out of reach one way or another, then he was finally let go this week.

He’ll end this Baltimore run with a 5.33 ERA and 23 saves over 52.1 innings. He allowed 40 hits, walked 31 batters, and struck out 73. The guy is 36 and it’s clear he didn’t have it in the second half after going on an All-Star caliber run through the first couple months of 2023. The Orioles learned the hard way, unfortunate for them. They’re still going to the playoffs, likely as the top Wild Card team in the AL, but they were right there with the Yankees for the division most of the season and may have won it had the late-innings portion of the bullpen been a little stronger. They still have to play three in the Bronx to wrap up the schedule and it’s hard to see them sweeping or even winning that series, so barring some meltdown it looks like the AL East is going to the Yanks.

Craig Kimbrel since the All-Star break:

17 innings
22 hits
15 walks
11 stolen bases
20 runs (18 earned)
9.35 ERA (with two still on base)

Kimbrel hasn’t thrown a 1-2-3 inning since Aug. 28.

— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) September 18, 2024