The Atlanta Braves designated nine-time All-Star reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment on Saturday.
Kimbrel, 37, made his season debut Friday night and allowed one hit in a scoreless seventh inning in Atlanta’s 5-4, 10-inning loss at San Francisco. The right-hander had one walk and one strikeout and threw 14 pitches.
Kimbrel, who began his career in Atlanta in 2010, was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett prior to Friday’s game against the Giants. He signed a minor league deal with the Braves in March.
Kimbrel led the National League in saves in four straight seasons with the Braves from 2011-14.
He ranks fifth all-time with 440 saves and has a 2.59 ERA in 838 career games (no starts) over 16 seasons with eight teams.
Atlanta recalled left-hander Austin Cox, 28, from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding transaction. He last pitched in the majors with the Kansas City Royals in 2023.