MLB nine-time The Houston Astros are welcoming All-Star Craig Kimbrelis back to the major leagues.
The former Lee-Huntsville and Wallace State-Hanceville graduate was expected to join the team in Baltimore for Houston’s weekend series against the Orioles, according to reports from the Houston Chronicle, MLB.com, and ESPN on Thursday night, even though the American League team has not made the deal official.
With Houston’s top reliever, Josh Hader, battling a shoulder issue, the bullpen pitcher joins the Astros. Hader hasn’t pitched since August 8, despite having 48 appearances out of the Astros bullpen this season with 28 saves and a 2.05 earned-run average.
Hader is expected to miss a another three weeks of action before rehabilitating his arm, according to reports. Hader would not be able to pitch for the rest of the regular season due to that schedule.
This season, Kimbrel has made one MLB appearance as a pitcher. On June 6, he pitched a scoreless inning for the Atlanta Braves before being assigned the next day.
After being cut loose by Atlanta, Kimbrel joined the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express. Kimbrel had a 0-1 record, a 3.86 ERA, and five saves in 24 bullpen appearances for Round Rock. He gave up 12 hits and 12 walks in 21 innings while striking out 28 batters.
With 186 career saves, Kimbrel holds the franchise record. He played for Atlanta during the first five seasons of his major league career. After departing Atlanta, Kimbrel went on to earn five more All-Star selections and add 254 more saves to his tally. During his tenure with the Braves, he was named the National League Rookie of the Year, the Sporting New National League Pitcher of the Year twice, and an NL All-Star four times.
On July 30, 2021, Kimbrel was dealt to the Chicago White Sox after spending one season with the San Diego Padres, three seasons with the Boston Red Sox, and his third season with the Chicago Cubs. Before moving back to Atlanta, he pitched for the White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore.
Kimbrel was without a team until he signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on March 18, 2024, after being designated for assignment by the Orioles on September 18, 2024.
Kimbrel has a 56-47 record, a 2.59 ERA, and 440 saves in 838 MLB bullpen appearances. He has given up 483 hits, 340 walks, and 1,266 strikeouts in 810.2 innings.
Kimbrel is one of three pitchers to surpass 1,200 MLB strikeouts without starting a game, and he is ranked seventh on MLB’s saves list.
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At Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, the Astros take on the Orioles on Friday at 6:05 p.m. CDT.
Mark Inabinett works for Alabama Media Group as a sports writer. You may follow him at @AMarkG1 on X.
