Craig

Kimbrel

Kimbrel will be away for at least three days. Spencer Bivens has been called up to replace him in the pen.

Kimbrel vomited on the mound before departing the game in the seventh. He retired two of the three batters he faced before leaving.

Kimbrel’s save was his first of the year and first with the Royals. Kansas City is the ninth franchise that Kimbrel has recorded a save with. He struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to slam the door on the Tigers Saturday. Steven Cruz pitched in two of the last three games, which likely made him unavailable. Regardless of Cruz’ availability, Kimbrel has 441 saves in his career. He’s certainly in the mix for saves along with Cruz, who has five saves in his career, all coming this year with the Royals.

Craig Kimbrel, on the other hand, got four outs between the sixth and seventh to keep the game scoreless. For one night anyway, that’s advantage Kimbrel in the Royals’ closer battle. Steven Cruz, who is still probably the favorite for saves at this point, didn’t work tonight after picking up a save Friday.

The deal is now official. Kimbrel joins Kansas City’s bullpen prior to Monday’s series opener against the Dodgers after posting a pedestrian 4.81 ERA across 33 2/3 innings of work between the Rays and Mets earlier this season. The 38-year-old former elite closer has totaled 440 saves dating back to 2010, which is the fifth-most in baseball history. He’ll add another chapter to his late-career journeyman odyssey with the Royals.

There might be a chance for Kimbrel to add to his career total of 440 saves in Kansas City. They don’t really have anyone else for the ninth right now. Kimbrel was just let go by the Rays after posting a 3.86 ERA in 18 2/3 innings for the club. He also had a 6.00 ERA in 15 innings for the Mets earlier this season.

The 38-year-old right-hander was designated for assignment by the Rays on Sunday to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for Freddy Peralta. Kimbrel then passed through waivers unclaimed and refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham. He’s now free to explore opportunities elsewhere.

It will open a spot on the 40-man and active roster for Freddy Peralta. The former All-Star closer has pitched decently with Tampa Bay with a 3.96 ERA over 19 appearances, but unfortunately he’s now a very expendable part of a roster. if he goes unclaimed or untraded, he can elect free agency or report to Triple-A.

Kimbrel will rejoin the pen after missing time with a strained right wrist. He pitched a scoreless inning in his only appearance for the Rays before going on the injured list.

The 38-year-old right-hander threw a bullpen session on Saturday and noted that everything felt good. He’s expected to face live hitters for the first time in the coming days and may not require a minor league rehab assignment before rejoining the Rays’ bullpen.