Braves legend Craig Kimbrel signs with new MLB team after Atlanta release

Billy Heyen

Braves legend Craig Kimbrel signs with new MLB team after Atlanta release image

Craig Kimbrel didn't take long to find a new home.

Just a day after electing free agency following the Atlanta Braves designating him for assignment, Kimbrel has a new contract.

The Texas Rangers and Kimbrel reached an agreement on a minor league deal, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Kimbrel made one appearance in Atlanta after 11 seasons away, throwing a scoreless inning on Friday. The Braves DFA'd him the next day.

At 37 years old, Kimbrel's best days are certainly behind him. 

Last season, he pitched for Baltimore in the majors for most of the season but had a 5.33 ERA.

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Kimbrel was originally a superstar closer for the Braves.

He pitched five original 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.

Since Kimbrel Atlanta left after the 2014 season, he pitched for the Padres, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Phillies and Orioles.

It makes sense that Kimbrel had another deal lined up, because otherwise he may have accepted his assignment to the Braves' Triple-A team in Gwinnett.

Now, Kimbrel will try to break into the majors once again in a new uniform.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle