JUST IN: Former Phillies 35-years old key man kicked aside by Orioles
Former Philadelphia Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel continues to trouble his new team. The Baltimore Orioles, it seems, have grown weary of the veteran’s late-game struggles. Reports suggest that the 27-14 Orioles are already exploring potential trade deadline sellers for a replacement.
Kimbrel’s stint in Baltimore has been rocky. He recently lost his role as closer due to his unreliability in save situations.
In 16 ninth-inning appearances, the 35-year-old has allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits and nine walks. He has blown three saves and was recently demoted to setup duty behind Yennier Cano. He has a 3.86 ERA this season, with a strikeout rate of 36.2 percent but an elevated walk rate of 13.0 percent.
Despite these issues, he hasn’t been entirely bad all season. After blowing his first save opportunity with the Orioles, he found his groove for most of April, securing seven saves and two wins without any further blown saves until the end of the month.
However, Kimbrel blew two of three save chances between April 28 and May 3, prompting Orioles manager Brandon Hyde to lose patience. Hyde pulled Kimbrel on the verge of blowing another save against the Reds on May 4. Since then, Kimbrel hasn’t had a save opportunity but has recorded four holds.
Former Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel already getting kicked aside by the Orioles
Despite Orioles manager Brandon Hyde stating before their May 10 game that he intended to reinstate Kimbrel as the closer, Kimbrel entered that game in the seventh inning, according to MLB.com’s Jake Rill.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that Baltimore management has already had internal discussions about finding a new closer for their anticipated pennant push. The Orioles, who won the AL East last year, are reportedly considering Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, and the Houston Astros’ Ryan Pressly as potential candidates.
Phillies fans likely aren’t surprised by this news from Baltimore, given Kimbrel’s late-season struggles and postseason meltdowns last year. Observing the decorated reliever’s struggles from a distance is far more enjoyable.
Despite some hiccups in the first six weeks of the season, the Phillies bullpen has been one of the most valuable in the majors, with a 2.2 fWAR, the second-highest, in the third-fewest innings pitched. Phillies fans would much prefer their current bullpen situation over the Orioles’ current struggles.