KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Craig Kimbrel had a brilliant debut for Atlanta Braves. Forty-six saves. Unanimous choice for NL Rookie of the Year.
Now, it’s time to shake off his final outing.
Kimbrel is the closer for one of baseball’s top bullpens, a unit that also includes All-Star Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty, who had an ERA below 1.00 last season. That said, Kimbrel’s rookie year was marred by the last day of the season, when he failed to hold a ninth-inning lead against Philadelphia. The Braves wound up losing in the 13th inning, completing a September collapse that cost the team a spot in the postseason.
Kimbrel is eager to move on, which is why he might’ve been more excited than anyone about Monday’s first official workout for pitchers and catchers.
