Former Braves All-Star Closer Inks Deal With AL Club After Release

['Cole Shelton', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] Heavy Sports 2026-08-09 22:45:32

Former Atlanta Braves star closer Craig Kimbrel is back in the MLB. After electing free agency, the veteran reliever has signed an MLB deal with the Kansas City Royals, according to Jon Heyman. The right-hander made his MLB debut in 2010 and spent the first five seasons of his career with the Braves. Despite the dominance, Atlanta dealt Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster deal. Royals Take Flier on KimbrelWith the Royals’ season not going how they wanted, Kansas City took a flier on Kimbrel.