In a shocking turn of events, the Atlanta Braves have designated veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment just one day after he made his triumphant return to the team. This unexpected move comes as the Braves recalled left-hander Austin Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill Kimbrel's roster spot.

Kimbrel, who signed a minor league contract in March, had a nostalgic comeback moment when Atlanta called him up to the active roster. Fans were excited to see him pitch again, and he managed to throw a scoreless inning in a narrow 5-4 loss to the Giants. Although he allowed a hit and a walk, he showed his experience by escaping trouble with smart plays.

However, the decision to DFA Kimbrel has left many fans perplexed. At 37, he's coming off a rough 2024 season, which saw him released by the Orioles after struggling to maintain a 5.33 ERA over 52.1 innings. While his performance during the last few seasons showed flashes of brilliance—a 3.10 ERA and two All-Star selections from 2021 to 2023—his effectiveness faded towards the end of games.

Despite the setbacks, Kimbrel still has gas left in the tank. He boasted an impressive 2.00 ERA over 18 innings in the minors and posted a whopping 32.86% strikeout rate, though his tendency to walk batters at a 12.86% rate remains a concern. Control issues have plagued Kimbrel throughout his career, compounded by increasing home run rates in recent times.

Adding an intriguing layer, Kimbrel's minor league contract featured a "rolling opt-out" clause that could have allowed him to leave for a Major League opportunity elsewhere. Yet, no other team pursued him, leading to his brief stint with the Braves. Now, with his DFA, the Braves are on the hook for a relatively minor sum of around $25K.

Kimbrel, possessing significant MLB service time, can opt out and explore free agency again, but he may choose to accept an outright assignment with Atlanta. The comfort of returning to a familiar organization—especially after a lengthy tenure in free agency—could appeal to him, and with the ever-shifting dynamics of the Braves' bullpen, there's always potential for another shot in the majors.

As Craig Kimbrel contemplates his next move, retirement doesn't seem to be on the horizon just yet, leaving fans to wonder what the future holds for this once-dominant closer.