The Atlanta Braves are not having their best season, and a recent decision has put them on the hot seat. Reliever Craig Kimbrel is not the answer that the team was looking for, but the right-hander has history with Atlanta dating back to 2010.

After spending his first five seasons with the Braves, Kimbrel has been trying to find a permanent home ever since. In what seemed to be a feel-good moment, the Braves proved that business is business.

Fans Don’t Hold Back as Braves DFA Craig Kimbrel

On Friday, June 6, Kimbrel pitched an inning for the Braves. It was the first time he put on a Braves uniform since 2014, and everyone was happy to welcome him back onto the team.

That was a short-lived reunion, even though the veteran righty didn’t pitch poorly in his relief appearance. Kimbrel gave up one hit in the inning he pitched, walking one, and striking out a batter in 14 pitches.

With that appearance in the books, it seemed like the Braves could rely on Kimbrel in some sort of capacity as they moved forward in the season.

Ultimately, they designated him for assignment, which had Braves fans wondering what went wrong. With many MLB fans confused as well, the Braves believe that they did what they had to do as they push for a postseason run in 2025.

“You let Craig Kimbrel rot in the minors for over a month to get here,” this user said on social media. “He gets here and talks about how happy he was to be back in Atlanta. He pitches once, and gives you exactly what you need from his role. This is how you treat the guy? You are incompetent and gross”.

Their opinion is valid, as Kimbrel had to earn every bit of his relief appearance for the team. The 37-year-old is still doing whatever he can to prove to a team that he’s worth a roster spot, all for the Braves to throw him to the side once they got one inning of work out of him. It’s not like the team put him back in the minors. They released him outright.

Having pitched 18 total innings during his time with the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, Kimbrel had a 2.45 ERA during his time with Gwinnett. The Braves’ Triple-A team welcomed Kimbrel with open arms.

Now, the right-hander looks for a new home. So far in his career, Kimbrel has played for the Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles.