Craig Kimbrel needed a throw home by Jason Heyward to get out of a bases-loaded jam unscathed in his second outing of spring training Monday against the Mets, but two outings into spring training the Braves closer knows he’s got plenty of time to iron a few things out.
On the same exact day a year ago - March 3 - Kimbrel left Braves camp for the World Baseball Classic, which he called a great experience, but it disrupted his normal routine. Kimbrel gave up six runs in eight innings in Grapefruit League play, walking seven in his eight outings. He had amped up his routine, so he was opening-day ready two weeks before the regular season.
He was still dominant early last season, but he wasn’t as pin-point as he had been in 2012.
“I felt a little rushed last year,” said Kimbrel, who has pitched two scoreless innings so far. “And this year is more laid back. I can fine tune some things a little smoother, not having to jump on it as quick. Obviously I’ve got a lot of stuff I’ve got to work between now and my next appearance, but right now the most important thing is just making sure you’re healthy and be ready to go your last couple appearances.”
Working the fifth inning against the Mets, Kimbrel gave up a leadoff single to Zach Lutz, hit a batter and then loaded the bases bobbling a comebacker to the mound for an error. But he struck out Chris Young and got a flyball from Juan Lagares, which Heyward turned into a double play by gunning down Lutz at the plate.
“I was working more side to side, more rotational than up and down like I normally do,” Kimbrel said. “That’s why my offspeed wasn’t very good today. It was kind of up in the zone, kind of cutting across instead of down. Little things I need to work on.”
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