The Atlanta Braves are officially in reaction mode, and it looks like change is barreling into the bullpen—complete with a familiar face. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Braves are preparing to call up Craig Kimbrel, the nine-time All-Star closer and former Atlanta cornerstone.
The move comes just hours after a brutal ninth-inning collapse against the Arizona Diamondbacks, one that sealed a sweep and pushed the Braves to a new low point in a season already full of them.
Kimbrel Returns—Not Just for Braves Nostalgia
Kimbrel, 36, has been pitching in Triple-A Gwinnett this season, quietly building a case for another big-league shot. Through 15 appearances, he holds a 2.45 ERA, 1.091 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 14.2 innings. Add in 3.1 shutout innings at Double-A Columbus, and the numbers say he’s more than just a legacy call-up.
Still, Braves fans know this isn’t the 2011–2014 version of Kimbrel—the one who saved 186 games and made four straight All-Star teams in a Braves uniform. This is the post-peak Kimbrel, who posted a 5.33 ERA with the Orioles in 2024. That said, if the Braves are ready to shake things up, he’s a credible option—especially with 440 career saves to his name.
The Iglesias Problem
It’s no mystery what triggered this potential bullpen shuffle. Raisel Iglesias is unraveling and fast. After giving up four hits and the game-winning run on Thursday, Iglesias has now allowed a run in seven of his last 10 appearances, sporting a 9.58 ERA since May 8. His slider has been getting crushed, and after shifting more heavily to the changeup, that pitch got lit up by Arizona.
Manager Brian Snitker, clearly exasperated postgame, didn’t commit to a change—but didn’t shut the door either: “That’s an option. That’s definitely an option,” Snitker said when asked about removing Iglesias from the closer role.
Reading Between the (Bullpen) Lines
The fact that Kimbrel’s name is surfacing the same day as Snitker’s non-committal comments speaks volumes. The Braves haven’t confirmed the move yet, but all signs point to Kimbrel getting called up soon. Perhaps we see him even in time for the weekend series. A corresponding roster move will follow, likely impacting a struggling reliever—maybe even Iglesias himself.
This isn’t just a transaction—it’s a symbolic pivot. The Braves are teetering on falling out of contention, and while they haven’t hit the panic button, this is the first real sign of urgency.
Can Kimbrel Handle the Ninth Again?
That’s the million-dollar question. The fastball is still live, and the breaking ball still flashes. But consistency has been Kimbrel’s Achilles’ heel in recent years.
He saved 23 games for Baltimore in 2024 but was unreliable enough to be left off the Orioles’ playoff roster. If the Braves do turn to him in the ninth, they’re hoping his command and confidence return with the familiar jersey.
Braves Need Consistency and Reliability
This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about survival. The Braves are 27–34, the bullpen is cracking, and Snitker is out of easy answers. If Craig Kimbrel steps into the ninth-inning spotlight again, it’s because Atlanta needs a spark—and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of that old magic.
