The Atlanta Braves have been struggling lately, dealing with a mix of injuries and tough losses. They’re currently 9.5 games behind in the division and sit three games below .500—far from the expectations heading into the season.
They managed to avoid a sweep with a win over the first-place Phillies on Thursday, but they easily could’ve taken both games of the doubleheader if not for a bullpen meltdown in the late innings. While Atlanta’s bullpen hasn’t been terrible, ranking 12th in MLB with a 3.68 ERA, it’s a noticeable drop-off from last year when their relief corps was among the league’s elite.
With the unit performing in a more average range, fans are likely starting to ask when the Braves will look to bolster the bullpen—and whether veteran closer Craig Kimbrel might be part of those plans.
The Braves’ lack of clarity on their plans for Craig Kimbrel could backfire
Craig Kimbrel has quietly been building a strong case for a return to the majors, yet the Braves have yet to make a move. The 37-year-old reliever has posted an impressive 1.20 ERA over 15 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A, tallying 18 strikeouts, six walks, two saves (in three chances), and two holds. His fastball is sitting around 95 mph, and he’s averaging just over a strikeout per inning with the Gwinnett Stripers—strong indicators that he’s still got something left in the tank.
Despite those solid numbers, Atlanta has shown hesitation. That likely stems from how sharply Kimbrel’s performance declined in 2024. After a dominant first half with 23 saves and a 2.80 ERA, he struggled mightily in the second half, posting a 10.59 ERA over 17 innings, leading to his release by the Orioles in September.
Still, the Braves’ bullpen has been average this season—ranking 12th in ERA—and lacks the dominance it had a year ago. With the team sitting below .500 and facing a widening gap in the division race, promoting Kimbrel could be a low-risk, high-reward move. At the very least, it would add veteran leadership and potentially energize both the team and fanbase.
Complicating matters is Kimbrel’s rolling opt-out clause, as reported by Ken Rosenthal. It allows him to leave the Braves if another team offers him a major league deal—unless Atlanta promotes him first. That puts pressure on the Braves’ front office, as they could lose him any day if another opportunity arises.
With his current form and the bullpen’s inconsistency, there’s little reason not to give Kimbrel another shot in the big leagues. It’s a move that might not fix everything, but it could provide a spark during what’s been a frustrating season.
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