The Texas Rangers have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel to a minor league contract, as reported by Ken Rosenthal. Kimbrel, 37, had previously signed with Atlanta and performed well in Triple-A Gwinnett, logging 18 innings with a 2.00 ERA. Despite a high walk rate of 12.9%, he recorded a 32.9% strikeout rate. Atlanta briefly called him up, but he was assigned back to the minors after one scoreless inning against the Giants.
Known for being one of the most dominant relief pitchers in MLB history, Kimbrel currently ranks fifth on the all-time saves list. However, his recent performance has been inconsistent, with a challenging 2022 season following stronger outputs in 2021. He faced struggles in the second half of the last season, leading to his release.
The Rangers have been seeking affordable solutions for their bullpen and have made several minor league signings. With pitcher Nathan Eovaldi on the injured list, Kimbrel may provide the fresh arm the team needs as they look to navigate upcoming games with limited rotation options. He is expected to report to Triple-A Round Rock as he aims for another shot in the majors.
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