The Baltimore Orioles have made a significant roster move, designating veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment. In a corresponding move, the team has promoted right-hander Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk.
Kimbrel, a 36-year-old pitcher, has struggled recently on the mound, a stark contrast to his earlier performance this season. In his most recent outing against the San Francisco Giants, Kimbrel allowed six runs on three hits and two walks, ballooning his ERA to 5.33 over his last 18 appearances. During this span, Kimbrel gave up 22 runs (20 earned) on 22 hits and 15 walks, while striking out 20 batters across 17 innings. His ERA over those innings has soared to 10.59, a significant decline from his 2.80 ERA before the All-Star Game.
Reflecting on the changes within the team, Orioles General Manager Mike Elias stated, "The mojo that we've had has just drifted away from us the last few months." Elias acknowledged the challenges faced by the team and individual players, adding, "There are reasons for it that are obvious, but a lot of it is we've got people here that are experiencing a downturn—whether it's themselves or the team."
Kimbrel's struggles have led to his removal from the closer's role, a decision taken a month ago. Since then, Seranthony Domínguez has stepped up as the team's closer. Despite Kimbrel's decline, his career achievements remain notable. He ranks fifth all-time in saves and is second among active pitchers in this category. However, this season marks his third since 2019 with an ERA+ below 90, indicating a downturn in his performance metrics.
Bryan Baker, the reliever promoted to take Kimbrel’s spot, is a 29-year-old right-hander who has made 17 appearances at the major league level this season and 130 in his career. Baker brings a respectable overall 108 ERA+ to the Orioles' bullpen, offering hope for more stability in their relief pitching.
The Orioles' performance as a team has also been underwhelming since the All-Star break, holding a 26-29 record. This has put them four games behind the Yankees in the AL East standings. Nevertheless, the Orioles maintain a four-game advantage in the AL wild-card race, keeping their postseason hopes alive.
As the season progresses, the Orioles will look to regain their earlier momentum and stabilize their bullpen with new additions like Baker. Meanwhile, Kimbrel’s future remains uncertain as the team makes the difficult decision to move forward without one of the most prolific closers in the history of the game.