The Houston Astros have dealt with injuries all season, with several key contributors sidelined long term.
Josh Hader, Yordan Alvarez, Isaac Paredes and Cristian Javier headline the list, with numerous role players also spending time on the injured list.
Amid those setbacks, the Astros have seen a resurgence from an unlikely candidate: all-time great closer Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel's resume speaks for itself, compiling 1,275 strikeouts, 22.8 WAR and 440 career saves. His 440 saves rank him fifth in major league history, trailing only Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Lee Smith and Kenley Jansen. Kimbrel has led the league in saves four times, finished in the top 10 of Cy Young Award voting five times and even cracked the top 10 in MVP voting as a reliever once.
With Houston, Kimbrel has yet to record a save but also has not surrendered a run. He began the year with the Atlanta Braves, making one scoreless appearance before being released. He then signed a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers but never appeared in a game before landing on the Astros’ major league roster.
In a small sample of eight appearances with Houston, Kimbrel has struck out nine batters in six scoreless innings. He has shown some control issues, issuing six walks.
Although he may not be trusted to save games for the Astros, the 37-year-old has been a great addition to the Houston bullpen amid injuries to Hader, Kaleb Ort, and Hayden Wesneski. If he continues to perform, he may make the Astros' postseason roster and perhaps earn himself an opportunity for next season.