The Orioles cut bait with their ex-closer on Wednesday.
Baltimore designated Craig Kimbrel for assignment with just a couple of weeks left in the regular season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Kimbrel has posted a 5.33 ERA and has blown six saves this season, his 15th year in the big leagues.
The hard-throwing right-hander has struggled mightily since the All-Star break, sporting a whopping 10.59 ERA in 18 appearances during the second half.
On Tuesday night, Kimbrel had the worst outing of his career, allowing a career-high six earned runs against the Giants.
The nine-time All-Star opened the season as the Orioles’ closer, replacing Felix Bautista, who underwent elbow surgery in February.
Although he briefly lost his closer role in May, Kimbrel was mostly solid during the first half, posting a 2.80 ERA and saving 23 games for Baltimore.
But by early August, the team had replaced him as its closer with Seranthony Domínguez, and Kimbrel has made just 13 appearances since then.
He signed a one-year, $12 million deal that included a club option for 2025 with the Orioles last offseason.
The Orioles, who trail the Yankees by four games in the American League East, will now turn to other options in relief as they look to improve on their 4.17 bullpen ERA, which is 10th-worst in the majors.
Kimbrel, 36, is one of the top closers of all time, saving 440 games throughout his career, which is fifth-most in MLB history.
He has received Cy Young votes in five different seasons and won the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year award with the Braves.
