Craig Kimbrel - Page 24 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Has another clean outing Wednesday Kimbrel pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout in Wednesday's 4-2, 10-inning loss to the Brewers

Impact Kimbrel pitched a clean ninth inning in a 1-1 game, but the Cubs allowed three runs in the 10th inning to take the loss. The veteran reliever has yet to allow a hit or a walk across three innings of work, and he's struck out six. It's too early to definitively say that Kimbrel is back to his old self after struggling in 2019 and 2020, but it's certainly encouraging to see him get off to a good start.

APRIL 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches first save Kimbrel recorded his first save of the season, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning Sunday against the Pirates.

Impact Kimbrel entered the ninth inning in his first save opportunity of the year and retired all three batters he faced. The Cubs have Kimbrel set up to receive the majority of save situations this season. The veteran reliever was shaky in 2020 and will have to close games more consistently like he did Sunday in order to keep his role.

APRIL 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches first save Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to record the save in Sunday's win over the Pirates.

Impact Kimbrel picked up his first save of 2021 and recorded his second consecutive scoreless outing to begin the season. It's a good start for the veteran reliever, who posted a 5.28 ERA last year and a 6.53 ERA in 2019. Fantasy managers will want to see Kimbrel string together a few more good appearances to really feel confident, but he's got fantasy value as long as he has the closer role in Chicago and is pitching well.

APRIL 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Davies wins Chicago debut as Cubs beat Pirates 4-3

Zach Davies pitched into the sixth inning in his Chicago Cubs debut, leading his new team to a 4-3 victory over the short-handed Pittsburgh Pirates

APRIL 4, 2021 • Associated Press

Perfect in non-save situation Kimbrel struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning during Saturday's 5-1 win over the Pirates.

Impact Working in a non-save situation, Kimbrel overpowered the Bucs on 16 pitches (12 strikes). It was an excellent start to the campaign for the veteran closer, who's looking to erase memories of the 6.00 ERA he posted over the last two seasons for the Cubs.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Arrieta makes triumphant return as Cubs beat Pirates 5-1

Jake Arrieta pitched six solid innings in a triumphant return to the Cubs, Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward homered, and Chicago beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Saturday afternoon

APRIL 3, 2021 • Associated Press

Rizzo ends talks; Odor getting cut; restrictions to loosen

Anthony Rizzo is cutting off talks with the Chicago Cubs on a new contract and is prepared to play the season as free agency looms after the World Series

MARCH 29, 2021 • Associated Press

Finds increased velocity Kimbrel hit 98 mph with his fastball in his most recent Cactus League outing Saturday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Kimbrel said he was pleasantly surprised by the high number on the radar gun, and he retired his three batters in order with two strikeouts. "My ball had some zip on it, had a little more life than it's had so far this spring training," Kimbrel said. "When you can be nice and smooth and easy and try not to do too much, everything works out." The veteran reliever averaged 98.3 mph on his fastball back in 2017, but he's been below 97 mph in his two seasons with the Cubs. He has a 6.00 ERA since coming to Chicago, so the diminished velocity has seemingly had a direct impact on his effectiveness. If Kimbrel has a little more zip in 2021, he could turn things around, but fantasy managers will want to see him string together a handful of good outings before getting too excited.

MARCH 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Craig Kimbrel is the Cubs closer, but who's next in line should he falter? With Craig Kimbrel looking shaky this spring, it's fair to wonder whether pitchers like Brandon Workman and Jason Adam might be next up.

MARCH 15, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Hit hard again Kimbrel allowed four runs on two hits and two walks while retiring just two batters in Friday's Cactus League game against the Brewers.

Impact It's been an awful start to the spring for Kimbrel, who has a 30.38 ERA across three appearances (2.2 innings). The veteran reliever is reportedly working through some mechanical issues in camp, so perhaps he can figure things out and right the ship soon, but he's not inspiring any confidence at the moment. If the struggles continue, the Cubs could turn to Rowan Wick (ribs) or Brandon Workman to close out games.

MARCH 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Now in Chisox 'pen, Kopech makes debut after 2020 opt-out

Michael Kopech is getting used to his new relief role with the Chicago White Sox

MARCH 10, 2021 • Associated Press

Shelled in spring debut Kimbrel allowed four earned runs on four hits in an inning of work in Friday's Cactus League game against Cleveland. He struck out one.

Impact This was not the type of Cactus League debut Kimbrel was looking for coming off a 2020 season in which he posted a 5.28 ERA across 15.1 innings. The veteran closer was even worse in 2019, posting a 6.53 ERA in 20.2 innings of work. This is just one outing, of course, but if Kimbrel continues to struggle during spring training, fantasy managers won't have much confidence in him to start the year. The Cubs may also lose confidence quickly, leaving Rowan Wick (ribs) and possibly Brandon Workman as options to take over as the closer at some point.

MARCH 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

3 takeaways from Chicago Cubs spring training Friday, including a rough 1st outing for closer Craig Kimbrel Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel flashed a 96-mph fastball against the Indians in his first Cactus League outing of 2021, but he struggled...

MARCH 6, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Ohtani fans 5 in return to mound; Harper HR on 1st swing

Shohei Ohtani figured he’d be careful in his return to the mound after two injury-spoiled seasons

MARCH 6, 2021 • Associated Press

Should debut Friday Kimbrel will likely make his Cactus League debut Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Cubs have ramped up Kimbrel and Jake Arrieta slowly during camp, as both have yet to appear in a Cactus League game. The team is being cautious with its veteran closer in hopes of keeping him fresh for the upcoming 162-game slate. Kimbrel has been up and down since coming to Chicago, but he finished 2020 on a high note (13:0 K:BB, 0.00 ERA and 0.41 WHIP over 7.1 innings in September), so there could be some reason for optimism. That said, Kimbrel's overall struggles over the past few seasons make him a somewhat risky fantasy selection.

MARCH 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Closing time: Kimbrel back in familiar role Cubs manager David Ross was deliberate in how he danced around the closer label throughout last year. Even with one of the game's historical...

FEBRUARY 20, 2021 • MLB.COM

Cubs' Hoyer to discuss futures with Bryant, Baez, Rizzo

Jed Hoyer plans to chat with Kris Bryant about his future during spring training

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • Associated Press

Officially named closer Kimbrel was listed as the Cubs' closer by manager David Ross on Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Kimbrel's pedigree gives him the inside track on the job, though his performance since joining the Cubs in the middle of the 2019 season means his grip on the role may not be too firm. In 36 innings for Chicago, he owns a 6.00 ERA, with his 35.2 percent strikeout rate proving insufficient when combined with a 14.5 percent walk rate and 2.8 HR/9. He can safely be drafted as if he'll be the team's closer on Opening Day following Ross' vote of confidence, especially as top alternative Rowan Wick is dealing with an intercostal strain, but he'll need much better numbers if he's to keep hold of the job.

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Cubs have a prime opportunity to trade Craig Kimbrel The Chicago Cubs want to offload salary, and a recent deal elsewhere gives them a clear opportunity to trade Craig Kimbrel. The Chicago Cubs...

JANUARY 12, 2021 • FANSIDED.COM

Brewers' Williams, Mariners CF Lewis win Rookie of the Year

Seattle Mariners center fielder Kyle Lewis is the unanimous winner of the AL Rookie of the Year award, and Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams has won the NL honor

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • Associated Press

Kimbrel didn't buckle; now hitters' knees do Maybe it looked like a fastball heading to the bottom of the strike zone. Whatever José Abreu thought initially, the White Sox slugger quick...

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • MLB.COM

Remember a year ago when the Cardinals hit back-to-back homers against Craig Kimbrel and the Cubs? - A Hunt and Peck It was fantastic.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • VIVAELBIRDOS.COM

Bags second save Kimbrel worked a scoreless ninth inning to notch his second save of the season Saturday in the Cubs' 4-2 win over the Brewers. He gave up two hits and struck out one in the 26-pitc...

Impact With scoreless outings in 10 of his last 11 appearances to go with a 22:7 K:BB in 10.1 innings over that span, Kimbrel appears to have re-entered manager David Ross' circle of trust. While he wasn't at his sharpest Saturday, Kimbrel did well to limit the damage after giving up back-to-back singles to kick off the bottom of the ninth. Jeremy Jeffress still looks like Chicago's top end-game option with a sub-1.00 ERA and seven saves in eight chances on the season, but Kimbrel's strong form of late may have allowed him to move ahead of Rowan Wick on the closer depth chart.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bregman gets big hit as Astros rally past Dodgers

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 • Associated Press

Logs another scoreless inning Kimbrel allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief Wednesday against the Reds.

Impact Kimbrel worked the ninth inning, though it wasn't a save situation with the Cubs down 3-0. While the veteran reliever still has an unsightly 7.36 ERA, he's now posted three straight scoreless innings with six strikeouts since giving up two runs and blowing a save on Aug. 29. Jeremy Jeffress and Rowan Wick have taken over closing duties in Chicago, but if Kimbrel can continue to pitch well, he could still see some high-leverage duty as the Cubs move toward the postseason.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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