CHICAGO — Craig Kimbrel will be added to the Chicago Cubs‘ roster Thursday before their series finale against Atlanta at Wrigley Field.
The team made the announcement following Wednesday night’s 5-3 loss to the Braves.
Kimbrel, a seven-time All-Star closer, completed his minor league assignment Tuesday and traveled to Chicago on Wednesday. He pitched in four games for Triple-A Iowa, allowing one run and two hits in 3⅔ innings. The right-hander worked a clean ninth with two strikeouts Tuesday in Iowa’s 5-1 victory over Omaha, throwing 16 pitches.
Kimbrel and the Cubs finalized a $43 million, three-year contract on June 7. The 31-year-old reliever has 333 career saves, including 42 last season for World Series champion Boston.
To make room on the 25-man roster, right-hander Tony Barnette was optioned to Iowa.