Former Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel already getting kicked aside by the Orioles
Craig Kimbrel has had a rocky start to his career in Baltimore.
Former Philadelphia Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel continues to give his new team fits. It looks like the Baltimore Orioles may have already had enough of the veteran's late-inning antics. Recent reports indicate that the 27-14 Orioles are already starting to sniff around possible trade deadline sellers for a replacement.
Kimbrel's short tenure in Baltimore has been tumultuous, to say the least. He recently lost the closing job after proving unreliable in save situations.
In 16 ninth-inning appearances, the 35-year-old has given up eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits and nine walks. He has three blown saves and was recently relegated to setup duty for Yennier Cano. He has a 3.86 ERA on the season, and while his strikeout rate is up to 36.2 percent, his walk rate has ballooned to 13.0 percent.
It's not like he's been horrible for the entire season, though. After blowing his first save opportunity as an Oriole, he sorted himself out for most of April. He went on a run of seven saves and two wins, not blowing a single opportunity until things fell apart at the end of the month.
The veteran blew two of three save opportunities from April 28 to May 3, when Orioles manager Brandon Hyde lost his patience. On the verge of blowing another save against the Reds on May 4, Hyde gave Kimbrel the hook. He hasn't had a save since but has picked up four holds.
Former Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel already getting kicked aside by the Orioles
Despite Hyde saying before their May 10 game that he was planning to go back to and stick with Kimbrel as the closer, per MLB.com's Jake Rill, Kimbrel entered that game in the seventh.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Baltimore management has already had internal discussions about finding another closer for their anticipated push for the pennant down the stretch.
The AL East winners from a year ago apparently are looking at Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano and the Houston Astros' Ryan Pressly as possible candidates.
Phillies fans can't be shocked to hear this news out of Baltimore after Kimbrel's late-season struggles and postseason meltdowns last year. Watching the decorated reliever implode from a safe distance is much more pleasant.
Despite some of the hiccups the Phillies bullpen has had in the first six weeks of the season, the relief corps has been one of the most valuable in the majors, garnering 2.2 fWAR, the second-highest, in the third-fewest innings pitched.
We'll gladly take the Phillies' current situation instead of what's going on in the Orioles bullpen.
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