Reports: Craig Kimbrel to sign with Astros

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st August, 20:27 2025

Jun 6, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) looks at the catcher against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

The Houston Astros are signing nine-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel on Thursday to bolster their bullpen, according to multiple media reports.

Kimbrel, whose 440 saves rank fifth on Major League Baseball's all-time list, joins a relief corps that recently lost closer Josh Hader for possibly the rest of the 2025 season due to a strained shoulder.

In the 37-year-old right-hander's lone big-league appearance this season, he allowed one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning for the Atlanta Braves on June 6.

He's spent time with three minor-league teams this season, most recently with the Triple-A Round Rock Express in the Texas Rangers' organization. He's thrown 39 minor-league innings this season, posting a 3.00 ERA with eight saves in 10 opportunities.

For his career, Kimbrel has compiled a 56-47 record with a 2.59 ERA and 440 saves in 499 opportunities. He served as the Baltimore Orioles' primary closer last year, but posted a 5.33 ERA with 23 saves and six blown saves.

According to Fangraphs, Kimbrel's fastball topped out at an average of 98.3 miles per hour in 2017 with the Boston Red Sox. That dropped to a career-low 93.9 mph last year with Baltimore.

The Astros will be his ninth major league team, joining the Braves (2010-14, 2025), San Diego (2015), Boston (2016-18), the Chicago Cubs (2019-21), the Chicago White Sox (2021), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2022), Philadelphia (2023) and the Orioles (2024).

--Field Level Media

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