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Royals' Craig Kimbrel: Implodes in extra-inning loss
Rotowire
Kimbrel (1-4) took the loss Monday against the Diamondbacks, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning.
Kimbrel entered a scoreless game in the 10th and couldn't contain Arizona after beginning the inning with the automatic runner at second. Lars Nootbaar's sacrifice fly broke the tie, and the Diamondbacks eventually pushed across five runs in the frame. Kimbrel finished the inning, but the Royals couldn't respond in the bottom of the frame, so the veteran reliever was tagged with his fourth loss of the season while seeing his ERA climb to 4.53. Despite the subpar outing, it wouldn't be surprising if Kimbrel gets more ninth-inning opportunities -- the Royals are employing a committee-based approach in the absence of Carlos Estevez (shoulder), and Kimbrel is one of the options to close out games alongside Steven Cruz and Nate Pearson.
Royals' Craig Kimbrel: Secures first save with Kansas City
Rotowire
Kimbrel picked up the save Saturday against the Tigers. He allowed no hits and a walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning.
Kimbrel entered the ninth inning with a two-run cushion and retired the side on 20 pitches (14 strikes) to secure his first save of the campaign. The veteran right-hander has yet to allow a run across 5.1 frames since joining Kansas City. Overall, he owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 35:18 K:BB across 39 innings between the Royals, Rays and Mets this season. The closer role has been a revolving door in the absence of Carlos Estevez (shoulder), and Kimbrel could see more save opportunities alongside Nate Pearson and Steven Cruz if he keeps delivering.
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Royals' Craig Kimbrel: Lands deal with Kansas City
Rotowire
Kimbrel agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Kimbrel elected to become a free agent Thursday after being designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week, and he has now found a new home in Kansas City. The veteran right-handed reliever has appeared in 33 major-league contests with the Mets and Tampa Bay this season, posting a 4.81 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 32 punchouts over 33.2 innings. He'll likely begin his time with the Royals in a low-leverage role.
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Craig Kimbrel: Reaches free agency
Rotowire
Kimbrel cleared waivers Thursday and elected to become a free agent, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kimbrel passed through waivers unclaimed after being booted off the Rays' 40-man roster, but he'll become a free agent rather than accept an outright assignment. The veteran reliever holds a 4.81 ERA and 32:16 K:BB over 33.2 innings in the majors this season, and it seems likely he would have to take a minor-league contract if he wants to continue pitching in 2026.
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Rays' Craig Kimbrel: Scrubbed from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Rays designated Kimbrel for assignment Monday.
Kimbrel will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Freddy Peralta, who was acquired from the Mets on Sunday. In 33 appearances between the Mets and Rays this season, Kimbrel has logged a 4.81 ERA and 32:16 K:BB over 33.2 innings. The 38-year-old is a good bet to clear waivers and become a free agent.
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Rays' Craig Kimbrel: Set to lose roster spot
Rotowire
The Rays informed Kimbrel following Sunday's 9-1 loss to the White Sox that he will be designated for assignment, Marc Topkin and Abby DiSalvo of the Tampa Bay Times report.
The transaction is expected to be made official within the next day or two, when the newly acquired Freddy Peralta is formally added to the active roster. Kimbrel, who surrendered two earned runs on one hits and one walk over an inning of relief Sunday, ends his time in Tampa Bay with a 3.86 ERA across 19 frames.
The Rays activated Kimbrel (wrist) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.
Kimbrel landed on the IL due to a right wrist strain in late May, and he ended up needing only the minimum amount of time on the shelf. The veteran reliever will now resume his low-leverage role in Tampa Bay's bullpen. He has pitched in just one game since joining the team off waivers May 26, tossing a scoreless inning against Baltimore.
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Rays' Craig Kimbrel: Facing hitters Tuesday
Rotowire
Kimbrel (wrist) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kimbrel had made only one appearance for the Rays before going down with a right wrist strain at the end of May. It's unclear whether the club will ask him to make any rehab appearances first, but Kimbrel looks to be on track for activation from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Friday.
Kimbrel (wrist) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is close to facing hitters, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kimbrel landed on the 15-day injured list May 31 due to a right wrist strain. However, the veteran right-hander expressed confidence Saturday that he'll be ready to be reinstated from the IL when eligible June 12. Kimbrel signed a major-league deal with the Rays on May 26, four days after being designated for assignment by the Mets.
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Rays' Craig Kimbrel: Lands on IL with wrist issue
Rotowire
The Rays placed Kimbrel on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right wrist strain.
Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Kimbrel showed no sign of injury while tossing a scoreless inning of relief in his Rays debut Tuesday in Baltimore, but his wrist began bothering him Friday. After consulting with team doctors, Kimbrel and the Rays came to a mutual decision for the veteran right-hander to go on the shelf, though he could be ready for activation when first eligible June 12.
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Rays' Craig Kimbrel: Gets MLB deal from Rays
Rotowire
The Rays signed Kimbrel to a one-year contract Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Kimbrel elected free agency Monday after being removed from the Mets' 40-man roster, and he's managed to quickly land another major-league contract. Slated to turn 38 on Thursday, Kimbrel posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings with the Mets. The Rays are often able to work magic with pitchers and see something with Kimbrel they might be able to tap into, but he's nevertheless a long shot to produce fantasy value in Tampa Bay.
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Craig Kimbrel: Heads to free agency
Rotowire
Kimbrel elected free agency Monday.
Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday and was then sent outright to Triple-A. However, instead of accepting an assignment to the minors, the veteran right-hander will choose to search for a big-league opportunity elsewhere.
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Mets' Craig Kimbrel: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Mets outrighted Kimbrel to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.
Kimbrel will presumably elect free agency rather than accept an outright assignment, but he doesn't seem to have officially done that yet. The veteran reliever was booted off the Mets' 40-man roster last week after posting a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings.
The Mets designated Kimbrel for assignment Friday.
Kimbrel's brief stint with the Mets was unsuccessful, as he collected a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings out of the bullpen. He is likely to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent. Kimbrel will turn 38 next week and could have to accept a minor-league contract if he wants to continue his playing career.
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