Orioles

Hyde says Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel was fine with change in role

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.

AddThis Website Tools
Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

Share
Published by
Rich Dubroff

Recent Posts

  • Rich Dubroff

Orioles’ Bautista has surgery to repair torn rotator cuff, labrum

Orioles closer Félix Bautista had surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn rotator cuff and…

August 20, 2025
  • The Bird Tapes

Rest in Peace, Henny

In Year Two of the Bird Tapes, I’m adding a series of interviews with legendary…

August 20, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Basallo’s game-winning dribbler, big outs from bullpen lift Orioles to 4-3 win over Red Sox in 11

BOSTON--What happened? After the Orioles traded four key relief pitchers last July and lost closer…

August 20, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Westburg, Rutschman, Basallo out of Orioles’ lineup

BOSTON—Third baseman Jordan Westburg and catcher Adley Rutschman are out of the Orioles’ lineup for…

August 19, 2025
  • Mailbag

Will Orioles extend Trevor Rogers? | MAILBAG

Question: I’ve seen enough. Trevor Rogers has earned a contract extension, and among the candidates…

August 19, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Rogers, Basallo team up, lead Orioles to 6-3 win over Red Sox; Westburg leaves with ankle injury

BOSTON--What happened? Trevor Rogers continued his string of impressive starts, giving up a run on…

August 19, 2025