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Former Braves star Craig Kimbrel returning on minor-league deal

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel prepares to throw a pitch in 2013 in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Credit: Curtis Compton/AJC

Credit: Curtis Compton/AJC

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel prepares to throw a pitch in 2013 in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
By AJC Sports
Updated March 19, 2025

An old friend is back with the Braves, but he’ll have to earn his uniform.

The team has signed former closer Craig Kimbrel to a minor-league deal, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the AJC.

Kimbrel will begin his second stint with the Braves by suiting up for the Gwinnett Stripers in Triple-A. He’ll try to show he can help the major-league club.

Kimbrel has been an All-Star nine times in his career but is looking to extend his career at age 37. He pitched for the Orioles last season and went 7-5 with 23 saves and a 5.33 ERA.

He had 186 saves for the Braves in five seasons before he was traded to the Padres in 2015.

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From the sports staff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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