BREAKING: Veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel has officially signed a major league contract with the Houston Astros, sources confirm to ESPN. This urgent move comes as the Astros struggle to maintain their lead in the American League West, currently just 1.5 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
Kimbrel, age 37, will join his ninth major league team and is looking to revitalize a bullpen that is in dire need of support following an injury to closer Josh Hader. The Astros have faced significant challenges recently, with their bullpen’s performance declining sharply—recording an ERA of 4.69 since July 1, compared to their prior season mark of 3.47.
During his short stint this season, Kimbrel pitched one inning for the Atlanta Braves before being designated for assignment, followed by two months with the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A team, where he posted a 3.86 ERA and struck out 28 batters in 21 innings. Known as one of the elite relief pitchers of his generation, Kimbrel’s recent struggles included a drop in fastball velocity—from an impressive 98.3 mph in 2017 to just 92.8 mph in the minors this season.
Astros manager Joe Espada has heavily relied on relievers Bryan Abreu, Steven Okert, Bryan King, and Bennett Sousa due to the bullpen’s overuse. Houston’s bullpen depth is further tested as they are one of only three teams—alongside San Diego and Kansas City—to have five relief pitchers exceeding 50 innings this season.
Kimbrel’s signing is seen as a crucial strategy to bolster the Astros’ late-inning options, especially as they aim for a successful playoff run. Since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, Kimbrel has saved 68 games in the majors and struck out 240 batters across 180.1 innings. Despite a less than stellar 4.00 ERA this season, his experience and skill set remain invaluable assets to a team in pursuit of a championship.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds and the Astros look to solidify their standing in the league.