Nine-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel is looking to rejuvenate his career with the Atlanta Braves, the team where he first made his mark in the majors.
Kimbrel and catcher James McCann have signed minor league contracts, the Braves confirmed Wednesday. Kimbrel will stay at the team’s spring training site when the season begins on March 27 before heading to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Kimbrel, a 36-year-old right-hander, was released by the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 24 after posting a 5.33 ERA with six blown saves in 29 opportunities. Over his career, he has appeared in 837 games, and his 440 saves rank fifth all-time. If promoted to the Braves’ 40-man roster, he would earn a $2 million salary in the majors.
Atlanta is looking to rediscover the Kimbrel who excelled before last season’s All-Star break, when he recorded a 2.80 ERA with 23 saves and 53 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings for the Orioles. However, he struggled after the break, posting a 10.59 ERA in 10 appearances.
“Hopefully, he can replicate what he did in the first half of last year,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Wednesday. “It would be awesome if he could come in and do that.”
“Talking to some of the Baltimore guys, they thought he might make the All-Star team,” Snitker said. “Like I said, hopefully, he can be one of those guys I talked about three weeks ago—someone who could have a big influence on our team who’s not even in camp yet. That would be great if he was that guy.”
The Braves will begin the season with 35-year-old right-hander Raisel Iglesias as their closer. Iglesias was dominant last season, converting 34 of 38 save opportunities while posting a 1.95 ERA.
Kimbrel, originally drafted by the Braves in 2008, made his MLB debut in 2010. He dominated as a closer early in his career, leading the National League in saves for four straight seasons. His run began with 46 saves in 2011, earning him NL Rookie of the Year honors, and concluded with 47 saves in 2014. His career high came in 2013 when he notched 50 saves.
Kimbrel has also pitched for the Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, and Phillies, earning his most recent NL All-Star selection with Philadelphia in 2023.
Atlanta also confirmed a minor league deal with catcher James McCann, a 34-year-old who batted .234 with eight home runs for the Orioles last season. He was in the final year of a four-year, $40.6 million contract originally signed with the Mets. If promoted to the 40-man roster, he would earn a $1 million salary in the majors.
McCann was an AL All-Star in 2019 with the White Sox and made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2014. Over 11 seasons, including two with the Mets (2021-22), he has compiled a .241 career batting average.
The Braves released 38-year-old left-hander Jake Diekman after he posted a 4.91 ERA over 7 1/3 innings in seven spring training outings. Diekman, who recorded a 5.63 ERA with the Mets in 2024, had been competing for a bullpen spot.
