Breaking MLB News: Free Agent Craig Kimbrel Signs New Contract with AL Team

Craig Kimbrel, 5th on baseball's all-time Saves list, met a puzzling end in his return to the Atlanta Braves this past week, getting DFA'd after just one scoreless inning. He elected free agency rather than being optioned back to the minors, and now has signed on with his 9th different major league club.

Craig Kimbrel signing minor-league deal with Rangers, source tells @TheAthletic. Kimbrel elected free agency after the Braves designated him for assignment.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 10, 2025

It's a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers, reports insider Ken Rosenthal.

The Rangers are in desperate need for help in the bullpen, and will see if Kimbrel has anything left in the tank to provide.

In 15 seasons, Kimbrel has a career 2.59 ERA with an astounding 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He has 440 career saves, including anywhere between 22-24 saves in each of the last four seasons. But last year, he had a 5.33 ERA with the Baltimore Orioles, and was relegated to signing a minor league deal with Atlanta, his original team, this spring.

They finally brought him up to the majors over the weekend, but surprisingly, after just one clean inning, they DFA'd him.

He'll try to show he can still deal at the big league level if the Rangers give him that chance.