The Atlanta Braves made waves across the league this weekend, parting ways with franchise legend Craig Kimbrel just 24 hours after his long-awaited return to the mound — a move fueled by a tense atmosphere and a club desperate for stability.
On Friday night, Kimbrel — once the most feared closer in baseball and still the Braves’ all-time saves leader — made his first appearance for Atlanta in over a decade. The 37-year-old right-hander pitched a scoreless inning against the Giants, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out a batter and picking off a runner.
At face value, it wasn’t a disastrous outing. But within hours, the Braves front office designated him for assignment. By Saturday morning, Kimbrel was off the roster, and left-hander Austin Cox was on his way from Triple-A Gwinnett to join the big-league bullpen.
A Fractured Return
Sources close to the team suggest that Kimbrel’s return was already on shaky ground. Though his fastball still touched 92 mph, gone was the overpowering velocity that once made him dominant. Manager Brian Snitker’s postgame comments were notably cool, describing the inning as “fortunate” and hinting that luck played a role in the clean result.
“It was good he got through it,” Snitker said, “but we’ll see.”
That lukewarm endorsement was telling. Insiders believe the coaching staff was skeptical about Kimbrel’s ability to handle high-leverage innings, especially after a rough 2024 season with the Orioles, where he posted a 5.33 ERA. Despite signing a minor league deal with Atlanta this offseason and climbing his way back to the majors, his leash was extremely short — perhaps only one outing long.
Enter Austin Cox
With Kimbrel gone, the Braves turned to 28-year-old lefty Austin Cox, a former Royals reliever who has bounced between Triple-A and the majors since debuting in 2023. While his numbers with Gwinnett this season haven’t dazzled, they’ve been serviceable — enough to earn a call-up when the bullpen needed fresh arms.
Cox brings a different look: a mid-90s fastball, a deceptive changeup, and a resilient arm that can eat innings. While he’s not a headline grabber, Atlanta hopes he can offer something the bullpen has lacked in recent weeks — reliability.
Bigger Problems Brewing
This dramatic move underscores a deeper issue: the Braves’ bullpen is in crisis. Just days before Kimbrel was called up, Atlanta’s relievers blew a six-run lead in the ninth inning against the Diamondbacks, one of the worst collapses of the season. Injuries, fatigue, and inconsistency have plagued the group, forcing management into a revolving door of relievers.
The Braves currently sit well behind the division-leading Mets and are sliding further out of wild-card contention. With the season nearing its midpoint, the team’s margin for error is vanishing — and sentimental returns like Kimbrel’s are taking a back seat to performance.
What’s Next for Kimbrel?
As one of the most accomplished closers in MLB history, with over 400 career saves and nine All-Star selections, Kimbrel’s legacy is secure. But after being DFA’d just one day after his return to Atlanta, the future looks uncertain. If he clears waivers, he could remain in the Braves system — but given the tone from the coaching staff and front office, a reunion seems unlikely.
Kimbrel’s brief encore in a Braves uniform may go down as symbolic: a nostalgic nod to the past, quickly overtaken by the harsh demands of the present.
A Team at a Crossroads
The message from the Braves is clear — there’s no more room for risk or sentimentality. With Cox now in the fold and the bullpen still reeling, Atlanta’s next moves could determine whether this season can be salvaged or if it marks the end of a competitive window.
One thing is certain: no one’s job is safe, not even a franchise icon.
