The Royals have added a familiar late-inning name to their bullpen, signing veteran closer Craig Kimbrel, according to New York Post reporter Jon Heyman.
Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Rays last week and had been released by the Mets earlier this year. At this stage of his career, he arrives with a résumé that still jumps off the page: 440 career saves, fifth-most all-time. He’s worked in 17 seasons across the Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Orioles, Astros, Mets and Rays.
His peak years made him one of the sport’s defining relievers. Kimbrel won Rookie of the Year in 2011, led the league in saves in each of his first four MLB seasons with the Braves and has made nine All-Star teams.
The recent results, though, have been a different story. His last effective season came in 2023 with the Phillies, when he was an All-Star.
Since then, he has posted a 4.78 ERA in 104 games. This season, between the Mets and Rays, he put up a 4.81 ERA in 33 games, striking out 32 and walking 16 in 33.2 innings.
Kimbrel’s fastball is sitting at 93.6 mph, and he also mixes in a sweeper, curve and sinker.
For Kansas City, the move comes amid a scramble to piece together enough pitching while arms continue to pile up on the Injured List. The Royals have been trying to find usable innings wherever they can, and many of the options they’ve brought in haven’t delivered. Adding a 38-year-old veteran may not fit a clean long-term plan, but it does reflect the reality of where the staff stands right now: the Royals need someone who can get hitters out.
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Royals Turn To A 9-Time All-Star As Bullpen Pressure Builds
The Royals have turned to a familiar late-inning name as they try to steady a bullpen that has been under plenty of strain this season. Kansas City signed veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to a Major League deal, adding a pitcher with one of the most accomplished rsums in the game and a long track record in high-leverage innings.
Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Rays after the Trade Deadline and elected free agency before landing in Kansas City, where the timing of the move speaks to how much the Royals need help. With the bullpen still sorting through several new arms, the club is hoping his experience can bring some immediate relief even as the picture around the relief corps continues to evolve. [Read more 🡒]
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The Royals did make some roster shuffling around the trade deadline, but the bigger picture in Kansas City still looks unsettled. They designated Matt Strahm for assignment and watched Aaron Bummer elect free agency, then tried to patch the bullpen with additions via trade and waivers as they continue evaluating the roster with an eye on 2027.
Even with those moves, the relief corps remains a work in progress, and third base is still hanging in the balance. Maikel Garcias injury status is one of the clubs lingering concerns, leaving the Royals without much clarity on how the left side of the infield will settle, while the bullpen still does not have a reliable late-game answer. [Read more 🡒]