Cubs Getting Ready to Activate Craig Kimbrel
By Parker White
He's already on the 40-man roster and the reports are very good down at Triple-A Iowa, which is why recently-signed closer Craig Kimbrel is close to making his 2019 debut with the Chicago Cubs.
Per reports, Kimbrel could be activated to the roster as early as Thursday or Friday.
Craig Kimbrel Nearing Activation https://t.co/7qcUrhkRu7 pic.twitter.com/JBUxzenWBS
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 26, 2019
Kimbrel has been getting ready down at Triple-A Iowa, and on Tuesday, he tossed a perfect inning that included two strikeouts. Kimbrel has made four appearances at Iowa where he owns a 2.45 ERA, giving up one run over 3.2 innings with four strikeouts.
#Cubs received excellent reports out of Triple-A Iowa on closer Craig Kimbrel after he threw a perfect ninth inning last night, pitching coach Tommy Hottovy says.https://t.co/2O48Kv1DMD pic.twitter.com/f6G7kmqy48
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) June 26, 2019
“It’s not about results or velocity, it is getting in game shape and building that foundation,” president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said this week.
It may not be about results or the velocity of his fastball, but Kimbrel has been pretty lights out, and his fastball velocity has been around 95-96 mph.
Only piece of bad news here? Unless he's activated on Thursday and pitches in the finale, Kimbrel won't be making his season debut against the Atlanta Braves, his former team. Bummer.