Dodgers moving forward without closer after demoting Craig Kimbrel
The Dodgers are moving to a closer-by-committee approach in response to Craig Kimbrel's continued struggles, Rowan Kavner writes.6 HOURS AGO
Dodgers News: Kimbrel Out in LA, No News Closer Named Yet Craig Kimbrel is out as Dodgers closer.
1 DAY AGO • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Dodgers News: Kimbrel Out in LA, No News Closer Named Yet Craig Kimbrel is out as Dodgers closer.
1 DAY AGO • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Roberts removes Kimbrel from closer role LOS ANGELES -- Before Friday’s game against the Cardinals, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Craig Kimbrel will not be the team’s...
1 DAY AGO • MLB.COM
Dodgers dump struggling Craig Kimbrel as closer
Craig Kimbrel won't be closing any more games for the Los Angeles Dodgers1 DAY AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Inconsistent Craig Kimbrel will no longer serve as the Dodgers' closer LOS ANGELES — Craig Kimbrel is no longer the Dodgers closer.
1 DAY AGO • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Loses closer job Kimbrel was removed from the Dodgers' closer role Friday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.
Impact The decision comes after Kimbrel allowed at least one run in three of his last four games. That followed a stretch in which he allowed just one hit across nine scoreless appearances, but his 6:3 K:BB in those outings was far from convincing. The veteran now owns a 4.14 ERA on the season and has struck out a modest 27.2 percent of opposing batters, well below his career mark of 40.0 percent. A committee approach to the ninth inning appears to be the plan for now in Los Angeles, with Chris Martin, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol among the leading candidates.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Could be losing grip on closer role Kimbrel (6-6) earned the win over Arizona on Thursday despite allowing one run on one hit, one walk and one hit batsman over one inning. After the contest, Dodgers manager Dave Rob...
Impact Kimbrel came into the contest with the game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, so it wasn't a save situation. He hit Jake McCarthy with a pitch to begin the frame but had some good fortune when replay determined that McCarthy was tagged out on a stolen-base attempt after initially being called safe. Kimbrel couldn't capitalize on that big call, however, as the next batter -- Christian Walker -- tagged him for a go-ahead solo homer. Kimbrel remained in the contest and issued a two-out walk before finishing off the frame, and he earned the victory when the Dodgers scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. Kimbrel has been shaky of late, allowing at least one run in three of his past four appearances. Roberts' postgame comments suggest that the veteran closer isn't guaranteed to remain in the ninth-inning role as the Dodgers look ahead to what they hope will be a deep postseason run.
1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE
Dodgers overcome Gallen's 13 Ks, rally to beat D-backs 3-2
Max Muncy hit a tying infield single in the ninth inning and pinch-hitter Mookie Betts singled home the winning run, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers edge the Arizona Diamondbacks 3...1 DAY AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kershaw Ks 10, Dodgers beat Diamondbacks 5-2
Clayton Kershaw struck out 10 and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-24 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Betts, Muncy lead Dodgers to 4-3 win over Giants in 10
Mookie Betts had an RBI double in the 10th inning, Max Muncy drew a bases-loaded walk and the Los Angeles Dodgers held on to beat the San Francisco Giants 4-35 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Snags win Sunday Kimbrel (5-6) earned the extra-inning win over the Giants on Sunday, pitching a perfect inning with one strikeout.
Impact Kimbrel worked the ninth inning to keep the game tied, and the Dodgers took the lead in the 10th. The right-hander hadn't pitched since blowing a save Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks, but it appears that outing was a speed bump and the not the start of another slump. Kimbrel has a 3.96 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 64:22 K:BB through 52.1 innings while adding 22 saves in 27 chances.
5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Dodgers: Dave Roberts Finds an Excuse for Craig Kimbrel Following Blown Save Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel blew his fifth save of the season last night, but manager Dave Roberts sees a silver lining in the embattled ri...
SEPTEMBER 15 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Blows save, takes loss Wednesday Kimbrel (4-6) took the loss and blew a save in an extra-inning affair against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk while striking...
Impact After the Dodgers scored a run in the top of the 10th frame, Kimbrel was called upon to close the door. He walked the first batter he faced but retired the next two hitters before giving up a walkoff three-run home run to Sergio Alcantara. Kimbrel had been pitching well coming into Wednesday, allowing no earned runs and only one hit over his previous nine outings, though only two of those were save situations. Los Angeles has already clinched the NL West and holds the best record in the majors, but Kimbrel's inconsistency is cause for concern as the team heads toward the postseason. The veteran has posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.36 WHIP while taking six losses and blowing five saves through 54 appearances on the campaign.
SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE
Craig Kimbrel gives up walk-off homer as Dodgers fall to Diamondbacks in 10 innings ArizonaDiamondbacks' Sergio Alcántara hit a three-run homer in the 10th off of reliver Craig Kimbrel in the Dodgers' 5-3 loss on Wednesday i...
SEPTEMBER 15 • LATIMES.COM
Alcántara's 3-run homer in 10th lifts D-backs over Dodgers
Late-inning defensive replacement Sergio Alcántara hit a three-run homer in the 10th to lift the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3SEPTEMBER 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
After Dodgers' record clinch, here’s where they turn their attention next
The Dodgers have clinched a division title faster than any other team in Los Angeles history. Rowan Kavner looks at what they'll focus on ne...SEPTEMBER 14
Kershaw, Dodgers win another NL West title, blank D-backs
Clayton Kershaw pitched seven dominant innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers won the NL West for the ninth time in 10 seasons, blanking the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0SEPTEMBER 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dodgers closer Kimbrel walks out to 'Let It Go'
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel is taking the mound to the song “Let It Go,” known to millions as the big hit from the movie “Frozen.”SEPTEMBER 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dodgers outslug Giants 6-3, Muncy homers twice
Joey Gallo blasted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the second inning and Max Muncy added a pair of solo shots in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 6-3 win over the San Francisco GiantsSEPTEMBER 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dodgers-Mets provides showcase of NL's best, potential playoff preview
When the Dodgers and Mets face off starting Tuesday at Citi Field, fans should expect fireworks, Deesha Thosar writes.AUGUST 30
Freeman, Dodgers edge Marlins 3-2 in 10 innings
Freddie Freeman drove in the go-ahead run with a grounder in the top of the 10th inning, Chris Martin escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half and the Los Angeles Dodgers defe...AUGUST 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Greg Jewett's Bullpen Report: Craig Kimbrel's new role, looking ahead to 2023 and more The end-of-season stretch run has bought with it chaos, as more bullpens are sharing saves, including the Yankees and Dodgers.
AUGUST 23 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Pitches in non-save situation Kimbrel failed to strike out any batters in a perfect ninth inning during Sunday's 10-3 win over the Marlins.
Impact Kimbrel has been inconsistent since the start of August, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 7.1 innings over eight appearances this month. Although he picked up his 21st save of the season Wednesday, he was utilized during Sunday's blowout win. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he won't exclusively utilize Kimbrel in save situations anymore since the team wants to focus on getting him regular work, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports. However, Roberts has expressed a commitment to using Kimbrel as the team's primary closer, and he'll be available in a potential save situation Monday against the Brewers since Roberts feels comfortable using Kimbrel on back-to-back days.
AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE
Dodgers News: Doc Wants Craig Kimbrel to Focus on Outs, Not Strikeouts Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel needs to get back to closing
AUGUST 20 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
