Red Sox Designate Former All-Star After Season Debut Disappointment

Craig Kimbrel, a celebrated closer and longtime MLB standout, stands at another crossroads in his storied career. After signing a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves in March and making his much-anticipated 2025 season debut, he was surprisingly designated for assignment just 24 hours later.

The move caught a lot of baseball fans and analysts off guard. People are left wondering what’s next for the veteran pitcher, whose legacy includes nine All-Star selections and a key role in the Boston Red Sox’s 2018 World Series win.

What Led to Craig Kimbrel’s Designation for Assignment?

The Atlanta Braves, who’ve had a rough season with their bullpen, took a gamble on Kimbrel. They promoted him to the major league roster for Thursday’s matchup against the San Francisco Giants.

Kimbrel, now 35, pitched a scoreless seventh inning with a strikeout in his first outing. Still, his fastball averaged just 91.6 mph—a big drop from the 97.1 mph he hit back in 2018.

He escaped trouble that inning, throwing only six strikes out of 14 pitches and leaning on pickoff plays and a caught stealing. But doubts about his consistency seemed to hang in the air.

The Braves’ bullpen has been posting a league-worst 6.15 ERA this season. Maybe that’s why they decided to move on and look for steadier options.

The Timing of the Move and Its Implications

Timing matters in baseball, and the Braves made their decision right as their bullpen struggles threatened to derail a promising season. They’d just suffered a brutal loss after giving up seven runs in the ninth inning.

Manager Brian Snitker’s choice to remove Raisel Iglesias as the closer only added to the chaos. With Kimbrel’s experience, some thought he’d fill the late-inning void, but the Braves called up left-handed reliever Austin Cox instead.

By designating Kimbrel for assignment, Atlanta has seven days to figure out his next step—trade, waivers, or something else. If no team claims him, Kimbrel could return to Triple-A Gwinnett and face another uphill climb.

A Career Built on Dominance—but Now at a Crossroads

Kimbrel’s situation really shows how unpredictable a baseball career can be, even for players with Hall of Fame numbers. He helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series and spent years as one of the most feared closers in the game.

But lately, he’s struggled. His tough 2024 season with the Orioles—posting a 5.33 ERA and getting designated for assignment before the playoffs—hinted at a downward trend.

Still, Kimbrel ranks fifth on the all-time saves list. That’s a testament to just how dominant he was in his prime.

For Braves fans, Thursday’s game felt like a bit of nostalgia—a chance to see their former All-Star closer back on the mound after more than a decade. But that hope for a comeback faded almost as quickly as it arrived.

What’s Next for Craig Kimbrel?

Now, everyone’s asking if this is the end of the line for Kimbrel or just another twist in his unpredictable career. His velocity is down and his performances have been shaky, but maybe there’s still a team out there willing to give him a shot, even if it’s just as depth in Triple-A.

Kimbrel’s bounced back before, and he’s never really shied away from adversity. For teams desperate for bullpen help, his experience in high-pressure moments might still matter—even if he’s not the flamethrower he once was.

How This Decision Reflects MLB’s Growing Predilection for Youth

Kimbrel’s sudden designation for assignment really highlights something happening across Major League Baseball—teams are leaning more and more toward younger, cheaper players. Veterans like Kimbrel just don’t get as many chances to prove themselves these days.

The Braves are right in the thick of contention, so they don’t have much patience for waiting on a turnaround. Fans might’ve hoped for a fairy-tale comeback, but Atlanta’s decision to recall Austin Cox instead shows they’re ready to shake things up and look ahead.

Craig Kimbrel’s latest setback really shows how tough the MLB can be, even for legends.

He got designated just a day after his season debut. Now, his future looks pretty uncertain.

Will another team decide to take a chance on his experience? Or is he going to have to claw his way back from Triple-A?

Honestly, who knows. Baseball’s always shifting, and even its biggest veterans keep getting tested.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Former Red Sox All-Star Designated For Assignment One Day After Season Debut