9-time MLB All-Star pitcher gets designated for assignment by his team

Apr 14, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) looks on during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

One of baseball’s best-known relievers may be at the end of the line in MLB.

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Wednesday that they are designating veteran pitcher Craig Kimbrel for assignment. Baltimore is calling up fellow righty Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move.

Kimbrel, 36, is one of the most decorated closers in MLB history. He has made nine All-Star teams in his career and led the National League in saves four different times. Kimbrel also ranks fifth all-time with 440 career saves and has been on multiple deep playoff runs with different clubs (including as the closer for the Boston Red Sox during their World Series title in 2018).

But Kimbrel has been increasingly prone to ninth-inning meltdowns in recent years and really lost his mojo this season in his first year with the Orioles. The right-hander is now up to a 5.33 ERA in 2024 with six blown saves in 29 opportunities. Kimbrel was also just shelled for six earned runs in 0.2 innings pitched on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants (a non-save situation).

The Orioles, who are without their preferred closer Felix Bautista this year due to Tommy John surgery, had already demoted Kimbrel from the ninth-inning role in the first half of the year before he worked his way back. Now they are demoting Kimbrel for good and will probably turn to a closer-by-committee approach as they zero in on the first Wild Card spot in the AL.