BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 16: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
In a surprising development, the Baltimore Orioles have removed closer Craig Kimbrel from their active roster, citing concerns over his recent inconsistent performances. Once one of baseball’s most dominant relievers, Kimbrel’s erratic outings during the 2024 season proved costly for the Orioles, who are fighting to maintain their position in the American League playoff race.
Kimbrel, a future Hall of Fame candidate with over 400 career saves, was brought in by Baltimore during the offseason to provide stability and veteran leadership in the bullpen. Early in the season, Kimbrel showed promise, delivering several lights-out performances. However, a troubling trend of control issues began to emerge, with Kimbrel’s fastball velocity declining, leading to a string of blown saves in crucial games.
The Orioles, known for a strong young core, have been contending for the top spot in the AL East, but Kimbrel’s recent form made him a liability in high-pressure situations. With a playoff berth within reach, the Orioles decided to prioritize bullpen reliability, opting to move Kimbrel off the active roster in favor of younger, more consistent relievers. Manager Brandon Hyde, while praising Kimbrel’s past contributions to the game, acknowledged that the decision was driven by the team’s immediate needs and long-term strategy.
Kimbrel’s most notable struggles occurred in late-game situations where he was entrusted with protecting narrow leads. His inability to consistently locate pitches resulted in blown saves and walk-offs, including a pivotal late-August loss that contributed to the team’s skid. Kimbrel’s ERA ballooned in recent months, and his walks-per-nine-innings rate reached its highest mark since early in his career.
The decision to remove Kimbrel from the roster is a major shake-up for the Orioles, signaling a willingness to make tough choices as they pursue their first deep playoff run in years. The move has also raised questions about Kimbrel’s future in Major League Baseball. Once considered one of the game’s elite closers, the 36-year-old now faces uncertainty regarding whether he can regain the form that made him a feared presence on the mound.
As for the Orioles, the team is expected to explore internal options to fill the closer role. Candidates like Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez, and Félix Bautista are potential choices to take on higher-leverage innings as Baltimore seeks to maintain a strong bullpen presence during the critical final stretch of the season. The front office has also left the door open to a possible bullpen acquisition via trade or waiver claims to strengthen the team ahead of the postseason.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Kimbrel’s future, his legacy as one of the most decorated closers in the modern era remains intact. Whether he can revive his career with another team or adjust to a new role remains to be seen, but for now, his chapter with the Orioles has come to an unexpected end.
