In a surprising move, the Baltimore Orioles designated Craig Kimbrel, a former Philadelphia Phillies closer, for assignment. Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star, has struggled this season with a 5.33 ERA in 57 appearances. This marks a sharp decline from his successful 2023 campaign with the Phillies, where he posted a 3.26 ERA and earned an All-Star nod. Kimbrel, 36, joined the Orioles on a one-year deal but has failed to meet expectations. This decision effectively ends his season, as he won’t be eligible for postseason play if picked up by another team [[❞]](https://dodgersnation.com/former-dodgers-closer-designated-for-assignment-in-shocking-move-by-al-powerhouse/2024/09/18/).
Kimbrel’s illustrious career began with the Atlanta Braves in 2010, where he quickly made a name for himself as one of the top closers in baseball. Over 15 seasons, he accumulated 440 saves and a 2.59 ERA, playing for teams such as the Braves, Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, and Phillies. Despite these achievements, Kimbrel’s recent performance fell short, making the Orioles’ decision a logical, if shocking, choice.
After a rough tenure with the Dodgers in 2022, where he posted a 3.75 ERA, Kimbrel briefly bounced back with Philadelphia but has since struggled to regain consistency. His designation for assignment may mark the beginning of the end for a once-dominant closer, as finding a new team at this stage of his career will be challenging. Should he land elsewhere, he will not be eligible for postseason play in 2024 due to the timing of the DFA [[❞]](https://dodgersnation.com/former-dodgers-closer-designated-for-assignment-in-shocking-move-by-al-powerhouse/2024/09/18/).
