The Atlanta Braves are welcoming an old friend back to the big leagues.
It’s been 11 years since Craig Kimbrel last pitched for the Braves.
Atlanta called the reliever up to its MLB roster on Thursday, and he’ll get a chance to wear the Braves jersey again. The news was first reported by Ken Rosenthal.
Since Kimbrel left after the 2014 season, he’s pitched for the Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Phillies and Orioles.
He has yet to appear in the majors this season, but after the Braves acquired him earlier in the year, they’re bringing him up after a nightmare ninth inning earlier on Thursday.
Kimbrel pitched five seasons in Atlanta to the tune of a magnificent 1.43 ERA.
In 289 innings with the Braves, Kimbrel struck out an absurd 476 batters.
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He’s nowhere near that pitcher now, of course, but even at 37 years old, Kimbrel still packs some punch.
In 15 appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett, Kimbrel has a 2.45 ERA this year with 17 strikeouts in 14.2 innings.
No matter how Kimbrel does, though, this is cool.
It’ll bring up some nostalgia for Braves fans, a recall of a previous era.
Kimbrel will mix on the field with Atlanta’s new stars, like Ronald Acuna Jr.
If this winds up being Kimbrel’s last MLB stop, it’ll certainly be a fitting one.
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