Report: Braves reunite with Kimbrel on minor-league deal

The Atlanta Braves and veteran closer Craig Kimbrel agreed to a minor-league contract, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Kimbrel will earn $2 million if he makes the majors, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The 36-year-old is going to ramp up over the next few weeks and begin the season in Triple-A, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Kimbrel spent the first five seasons of his 15-year career with the Braves, winning 2011 NL Rookie of the Year and racking up 186 saves. His 440 career saves rank fifth all time and place him second among active pitchers behind Kenley Jansen (447).

The right-hander struggled with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, posting a 5.33 ERA with 1.36 WHIP and 73 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings.