Former Braves closer Craig Kimbrel is away from the Boston Red Sox spring training camp while his infant daughter has surgery.
Kimbrel's wife Ashley gave birth to the couple's first child, Lydia Joy, in November. Lydia Joy was born with a heart ailment and had a first medical procedure when she was a few days old. Surgery is scheduled at Boston's Children's Hospital.
"I love baseball, but I also love my family," he said Tuesday. "I'm here to work. I'm here to focus and try to get better. When I leave the ballpark, my heart and my mind are definitely at home."
"The doctors have been amazing, very encouraging," he added. "There's a plan for everything. You want to be there and do everything you can, but you have to step back and trust the doctors and doing what we can."
Kimbrel pitched five seasons for the Braves, saving 186 games.
He can become a free agent after the season. Kimbrel turns 30 on May 28 and had 35 saves in 39 chances last year.
Credit: Curtis Compton
Credit: Curtis Compton
