Atlanta Braves Add 9-Time All-Star To Roster

June 05, 2025


 After giving up seven runs in the 9th inning on Thursday afternoon to suffer an historically bad loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, that was the last straw for the struggling Atlanta Braves. They have looked to their past, calling up 37-year-old, nine-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A.  

The Braves took a 10-4 lead into the 9th inning, only to watch as reliever Scott Blewett... blew it... surrendering two homers and two walks to start the inning, before struggling closer Raisel Iglesias came on to give up four hits, including the decisive two-run double to give the D-Backs an 11-10 win.

MLB teams had not lost in 1,461 straight games when leading by six or more runs entering the 9th inning since 2022. The Braves themselves had won 766 consecutive games when leading by six going into the 9th. Make that 766-1 now. 

Kimbrel, who began his career 15 years ago with the Braves, signed a minor league contract with Atlanta in February, and will try to right the ship, after posting a 2.00 ERA with three saves and 23 strikeouts in 18 innings with Double-A Columbia and Triple-A Gwinnett.

He struggled badly with the Baltimore Orioles last season, however, posting a 5.33 ERA, and blowing six of 29 save opportunities. It was the third time in the last six seasons that the veteran closer has had an ERA above 5.00. 

But he also has 440 career saves with a 2.59 ERA across 809.2 innings in 15 big league seasons. He is second among all active relievers in saves, and 5th all-time. 

The Braves hope he can recapture the dominance of his first trip through the majors with Atlanta, a time when Kimbrel posted four straight seasons with 40+ saves with ERAs below 2.00. 

Blewett (yes, we also love that name for a pitcher) was DFA'd to make room for Kimbrel. 

Photo: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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