TAMPA, Fla. -- It remains to be seen whether Craig Kimbrel will have a major impact on the Braves’ bullpen this season, but manager Brian Snitker is looking forward to finding out.
The nine-time All-Star agreed to a Minor League deal with the Braves on Tuesday -- according to sources -- returning to the club for which he led the National League in saves and made four All-Star teams during his first four full years in the Majors from 2011-14.
Kimbrel spent last season with the Orioles, posting a stellar first half (2.10 ERA, 23/27 save opportunities in his first 38 appearances through July 7) before a pair of blown saves caused him to lose his grip on the closer’s job. He posted an 11.50 ERA over 19 outings after July 7 before being designated for assignment on Sept. 18.
“Hopefully he can replicate what he did in the first half of last year,” Snitker said. “Talking to some of the Baltimore guys, they thought he would make the All-Star team. Three weeks ago, I said somebody might have a big influence on our team that's not even in camp yet. It would be great if he was that guy.”
Another candidate to be “that guy” is Héctor Neris, who signed a Minor League deal of his own with the Braves less than three weeks ago. Neris is scheduled to make his second spring appearance on Thursday, getting another shot to show the Braves why he should break camp with the team.
“Héctor is another one that we've battled against for so many years; another one that's been in a lot of those high-leverage situations,” Snitker said of Neris, who has 107 saves over an 11-year career. “He's throwing good right now. I was excited when we were able to sign him, because he's been a guy that's been a guy. Any time you can add guys like that, I think it's really good.”
That both Kimbrel and Neris could play key roles this season despite not being signed until March is not unusual. Snitker recalled Matt Joyce showing up in North Port, Fla., before the final spring game in 2019, having been acquired from the Giants only days before the season opener.
“At some point in time in Spring Training, guys are going to start opting out and guys are going to be narrowing their teams down, so there are going to be guys available,” Snitker said. “We're still a few days away, so you never know what might happen between now and a week from Thursday.”
Ready to go
Spencer Schwellenbach appears to be in midseason form. The right-hander fired six scoreless innings against the Yankees Wednesday night, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out 10 in his penultimate start of the spring as the Braves won 4-0.
“To come out each time during Spring Training and just feel a little bit better, get a little bit better, feel a little bit more crisp, that's all I'm focused on,” Schwellenbach said. “I felt really good tonight.”
In five spring outings (four starts), Schwellenbach has a 2.41 ERA with 26 strikeouts and two walks in 18 2/3 innings. He will probably start one of the two exhibition games against the Cubs in Arizona on Monday or Tuesday, but Wednesday’s outing was enough to show the Braves that the 24-year-old is ready for the season.
Schwellenbach threw 168 2/3 innings last season between the Majors and Minors, with 123 2/3 of them coming with the Braves. Even after going 8-7 with a 3.35 ERA in 21 starts during his rookie campaign, Schwellenbach still has plenty to learn.
“He had never been to a big league camp until this year, so there are going to be a lot of firsts for him again, even this year,” Snitker said. “It’s really cool to see where he's at. A year ago right now, I didn’t know what he looked like.”
Welcome return
Jurickson Profar played in a Minor League game Wednesday, clearing what should be the final hurdle before rejoining the Braves’ lineup on Thursday against the Phillies.
Profar hasn’t played since March 8, when he jammed his left wrist attempting a sliding catch in the outfield. Snitker said Profar will “play out” beginning Thursday, as the Braves want to get him as many at-bats and outfield reps as possible to have him ready for the March 27 opener.