A day after the Atlanta Braves yielded seven runs in the ninth inning of an 11-10 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the National League team announced on Friday afternoon reliever Craig Kimbrel would join the Major League roster from the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers.

A former Lee-Huntsville and Wallace State-Hanceville standout, Kimbrel spent the first five seasons of his big-league career with the Braves, and he holds the franchise record for career saves with 186.

Kimbrel’s most recent appearance for Atlanta came on Sept. 28, 2014. The National League Rookie of the Year, The Sporting New National League Pitcher of the Year twice and an NL All-Star four times during his stint with the Braves, Kimbrel went on to earn five more All-Star selections and add 254 more saves to his total after leaving Atlanta, so that he now ranks fifth in MLB history with 440.

But after being designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 18, Kimbrel was without a team until signing a minor-league deal with Atlanta on March 18.

In 18 minor-league games – three for the Double-A Columbus Slingstones and 15 for Gwinnett – Kimbrel had a 1-1 record with a 2.00 earned-run average and three saves in 2025. In 18 innings, he yielded eight hits and nine walks and struck out 23.

Last season with the Orioles, Kimbrel had a 5.33 ERA, 7-5 record and 23 saves in 57 relief appearances. In 52.1 innings, the right-hander yielded 40 hits and 31 walks and struck out 73.

In his career, Kimbrel has a 56-47 record and 2.59 ERA in 837 relief appearances. In 809.2 innings, he has yielded 482 hits and 339 walks and struck out 1,265.

Also on Thursday, the Braves recalled left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from the Stripers, placed pitcher Daysbel Hernandez on the 15-day injured list and traded pitcher Scott Blewett to the Orioles for cash considerations.

Blewett, who gave up two home runs in the ninth inning of Thursday’s loss, had started the season in Baltimore. In 11 games for Atlanta, he posted a 5.51 ERA in 16.1 innings.

The Atlanta bullpen has 10 saves and 11 blown saves in the 2025 season.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.