Apr 10, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) react after defeating the Boston Red Sox in nine innings at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
BALTIMORE—Orioles manager Brandon Hyde talked to Craig Kimbrel about a temporary move away from the ninth inning on Friday. When Kimbrel talked with the media on Friday, he hadn’t spoken with Hyde and thought he was still the team’s closer.
“We had a great conversation,” Hyde said. “He was wonderful. We put the plan in place there.”
After failing to convert four of his last five save opportunities, Kimbrel pitched a perfect seventh inning on Friday night in the Orioles’ 4-2 win over Arizona.
Hyde isn’t sure how many times Kimbrel will pitch before he moves back into the closer’s role.
“I’m kind of taking it day-to-day,” Hyde said before Saturday afternoon’s game against the Diamondbacks. “I was really happy with how he threw the ball last night. Helped us win the game. Pitched in the seventh inning in a one-run game, threw the ball great.
“The door’s not closed on anything. We need him to be Craig Kimbrel, and we need him to be the lockdown guy he’s been his entire career. I’m just trying to get him to feel as good as possible, and then we’ll go from there.”
Kimbrel, who will turn 36 on May 28th, is tied for fifth with Boston’s Kenley Jansen on the all-time saves list with 425.
SARASOTA—The Orioles made their first cuts of spring training on Tuesday, optioning right-handed pitcher Chayce…
SARASOTA—Nine players from the Orioles are set to play in the World Baseball Classic. Three…
Question: I am wondering how you think playing time gets sorted out in the Orioles'…
SARASOTA—The Orioles have a day off on Monday, and with players heading to the World…
Question: I still don’t understand why the O’s let Danny Coulombe walk in the first…
FORT MYERS, Florida--What’s happening? In his first start with the Orioles, Chris Bassitt allowed two…