Orioles DFA Kimbrel and recall Baker

The Orioles ran out of time trying to fix Craig Kimbrel.

The club announced today that it designated Kimbrel for assignment and recalled reliever Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk. The 40-man roster has 37 players.

Kimbrel has been scored upon in 11 of his last 19 appearances to leave him with a 5.33 ERA and 1.357 WHIP in 57 games. He’s averaging 5.3 walks per nine innings, his highest total in a full season since his rookie campaign in 2010.

The six runs surrendered last night were two more than his previous career high. The nine-time All-Star allowed only seven runs in the entire 2012 season.

The Orioles signed Kimbrel to a contract at the Winter Meetings that paid $12 million this season with a $13 million club option for 2025. Bonuses were added for games pitched and finished.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said Kimbrel was a priority as soon as the free agent market opened. The Orioles were aggressive in their pursuit and got a deal done before flying home from Nashville. They found their replacement for closer Félix Bautista, who’d miss the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The early returns were encouraging, with Kimbrel working through a rough stretch, necessitating a brief reset, to post a 2.80 ERA and 0.962 WHIP in 39 appearances in the first half. He was labeled an All-Star snub. And his climb up the all-time saves list was well documented.

His fall has been jarring.  

Kimbrel hasn’t recorded a save since July 7 or received a chance since July 25, leaving him with 23 this season and 440 in his career to rank fifth. He’s 1-3 with a 10.59 ERA and 2.177 WHIP in 18 games since the break.

Last night was rock bottom, with four runs allowed in two-thirds of an inning as he walked off the mound and two more attached to him after Mike Bowman let both inherited runners score. Fans booed his entrance and as more bases were occupied.

A groundball single started the mess, but Kimbrel complicated the situation with an uncontested stolen base – the runner was halfway to second base while Kimbrel still held the ball – a wild pitch and two walks.

Kimbrel’s velocity is down and his chances of making the postseason roster appeared to be vanishing. Left-hander Danny Coulombe is making a third rehab appearance today with Triple-A Norfolk and is nearing a return, which will bump a reliever from the bullpen.

The Orioles didn’t wait that long.

Baker has a 4.71 ERA in 17 games with the Orioles.