Most divisive Cubs' pitcher in years revived by Braves' late-inning meltdown

Even during the period of April and early May when it seemed as if any game the Chicago Cubs had to use their bullpen, it was going to turn into a loss, there was one name no one; absolutely no one was clamoring for Jed Hoyer to try and acquire. And yet, Craig Kimbrel is officially back in the big leagues, on the roster of a team that is (reportedly) looking to contend for a playoff spot.

The Atlanta Braves’ bullpen is quite the mess, as evidenced by allowing seven runs in the ninth inning in their most recent loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. It appears the team is both looking for any spark it can find and also searching for a reliever that can record outs, and Kimbrel is their latest attempt at both.

Braves recall former Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel as bullpen struggles reach breaking point

The Braves announced they’d officially recalled the former Chicago Cubs (and Braves) closer though it’s not clear if he will be called on to pitch in the ninth now that he’s back in Atlanta.

Certainly, it appears there’s an opportunity. Current Braves closer Raisel Iglesias allowed the final three runs in the bad blown save. That continued a run where he’s only had three scoreless outings in his last 10 appearances, posting a 7.71 ERA in that stretch.

It’s been an interesting couple of months for the 37-year-old reliever who has closed games for the Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles before coming back to the Braves. He was with the O’s in 2024 but was given his unconditional release in September after struggling to an ERA over 5.00 and blowing six save opportunities.

I needn't remind you just how tumultuous Kimbrel's time with the Cubs was. He signed mid-season and never looked like the potential Hall of Fame candidate he'd been up till that point. The right-hander posted an 8.00 FIP down the stretch in 2019, marking an inauspicious start to his time with the team. Thankfully, he sorted himself out by 2021 - and Jed Hoyer flipped him to the South Side in exchange for Codi Heuer and Nick Madrigal (although that deal really didn't work out for either side in the end)

Atlanta signed the former Cubs closer back in March. In 15 games for Triple-A Gwinnett, Kimbrel posted a 2.45 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. Now, he'll get a chance to keep pitching at the big-league level, looking to help the team that drafted him turn their season around.