Orioles

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

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ARTICLE

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.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

“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.

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’ list for alternative starting pitching is coming up short

The Orioles hope that starting pitcher Zach Eflin’s right shoulder fatigue isn’t serious. Eflin left…

April 8, 2025
  • Mailbag

How often do Orioles change their batting order? | MAILBAG

Question: I think no manager cares for his players well-being and knows the breadth of…

April 8, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Orioles beat Diamondbacks, 5-1, as Eflin leaves with shoulder fatigue after 6

What happened? Zach Eflin pitched six strong innings, allowing one run on four hits, throwing…

April 8, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Orioles acquire left-hander Grant Wolfram from Brewers; Suárez goes to 60 day injured list

The Orioles acquired left-handed pitcher Grant Wolfram from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor…

April 7, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Mateo’s fit on the 2025 Orioles is a puzzle

Last November, when Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias unexpectedly announced in a Zoom…

April 7, 2025
  • Mailbag

Should you be worried about the Orioles? | MAILBAG

Question: I just watched the O’s drop the rubber game to Kansas City, 4-1. It…

April 7, 2025