Kimbrel picked up the save Friday in a 5-2 win over Reds, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless ninth.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel entered with a three-run lead and allowed two baserunners before ultimately escaping with a scoreless frame, picking up his first save of the year. The veteran right-hander hasn't looked sharp in any of his three outings this season, but it appears Kimbrel is still the top closing option for the Phillies, who may also utilize Seranthony Dominguez, Jose Alvarado and Gregory Soto in high-leverage situations.

Kimbrel gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Yankees. He didn't strike out a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Considering the Phillies hadn't won a game yet this season, manager Rob Thomson wasn't taking any chances with a four-run lead and brought in Kimbrel to finish things out. The veteran closer served up a solo shot to DJ LeMahieu and threw only 14 of his 23 pitches for strikes, but he eventually got the job done. Kimbrel has been scored upon in his first two appearances this season with a 1:3 K:BB, which isn't a great sign for the 34-year-old, but his usage Tuesday suggests he's still the top option for save chances in the Phillies' bullpen once they begin to create some. Seranthony Dominguez, Jose Alvarado and Gregory Soto are also in the high-leverage mix, however.

Kimbrel has no problem being part of a closer committee this season, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel's 394 career saves lead all active players and rank seventh all-time, but his drop in performance over the last few seasons means he can no longer walk into a room and automatically inherit the closer title. His 3.70 ERA last season wasn't terrible, but his 27.7 percent strikeout rate represented a career low. The Phillies didn't have a dedicated closer down the stretch last season after Corey Knebel pitched his way out of the role, and they don't intend to anoint Kimbrel or anyone else to the job at the moment. Kimbrel has struggled when pitching in the eighth inning or earlier in the past, though not in large enough samples to be predictive.

Kimbrel signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel had an OK season in 2022, recording a 3.75 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 60 innings while racking up 22 saves as the Dodgers' closer. While the 34-year-old reliever has begun to show his age a bit over the past few seasons, he'll be a valuable piece for a Phillies bullpen that ranked in the bottom third in ERA last season (4.27). Kimbrel will likely begin 2023 as Philadelphia's closer.

Kimbrel will not be on the Dodgers' NLDS roster for the upcoming series against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

It's certainly not the outcome the Dodgers were expecting when they acquired Kimbrel from the White Sox over the offseason. His 3.75 ERA on the year was below his usual standard but not terrible, but he's lost his manager's trust nonetheless. His ERA actually improved to 3.10 in the second half, but that came with a 4.60 FIP as his strikeout rate cratered to 20.7 percent.

Kimbrel dropped to 6-7 on the season after he walked three of the five batters he faced while allowing an unearned run Tuesday in the Dodgers' 4-3 loss to the Padres in 10 innings.

EDGE Analysis

After manager Dave Roberts officially removed him from the closer's role last weekend, Kimbrel turned in a clean inning in his first appearance following the demotion, but he took a big step backward Tuesday. Upon taking the mound in the top of the 10th with a runner on second base, Kimbrel proceeded to retire Ha-Seong Kim on a sacrifice bunt and struck out Manny Machado, but he loaded the bases with a pair of walks, one of which was intentional. Kimbrel then faced Jorge Alfaro, who was able to lay off a four-seam fastball just outside the zone with a 3-2 count to draw a walkoff free pass. In light of yet another poor showing in a high-leverage spot, Kimbrel looks to be further away from returning to closing duties, and he could even find himself at risk of missing out on a spot on the Dodgers' postseason roster.

Kimbrel was removed from the Dodgers' closer role Friday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The decision comes after Kimbrel allowed at least one run in three of his last four games. That followed a stretch in which he allowed just one hit across nine scoreless appearances, but his 6:3 K:BB in those outings was far from convincing. The veteran now owns a 4.14 ERA on the season and has struck out a modest 27.2 percent of opposing batters, well below his career mark of 40.0 percent. A committee approach to the ninth inning appears to be the plan for now in Los Angeles, with Chris Martin, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol among the leading candidates.

Kimbrel (6-6) earned the win over Arizona on Thursday despite allowing one run on one hit, one walk and one hit batsman over one inning. After the contest, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he'll "think through" the ninth-inning role and "figure out what's best for the ball club," per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel came into the contest with the game tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, so it wasn't a save situation. He hit Jake McCarthy with a pitch to begin the frame but had some good fortune when replay determined that McCarthy was tagged out on a stolen-base attempt after initially being called safe. Kimbrel couldn't capitalize on that big call, however, as the next batter -- Christian Walker -- tagged him for a go-ahead solo homer. Kimbrel remained in the contest and issued a two-out walk before finishing off the frame, and he earned the victory when the Dodgers scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. Kimbrel has been shaky of late, allowing at least one run in three of his past four appearances. Roberts' postgame comments suggest that the veteran closer isn't guaranteed to remain in the ninth-inning role as the Dodgers look ahead to what they hope will be a deep postseason run.

Kimbrel (5-6) earned the extra-inning win over the Giants on Sunday, pitching a perfect inning with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Kimbrel worked the ninth inning to keep the game tied, and the Dodgers took the lead in the 10th. The right-hander hadn't pitched since blowing a save Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks, but it appears that outing was a speed bump and the not the start of another slump. Kimbrel has a 3.96 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 64:22 K:BB through 52.1 innings while adding 22 saves in 27 chances.

Kimbrel (4-6) took the loss and blew a save in an extra-inning affair against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

After the Dodgers scored a run in the top of the 10th frame, Kimbrel was called upon to close the door. He walked the first batter he faced but retired the next two hitters before giving up a walkoff three-run home run to Sergio Alcantara. Kimbrel had been pitching well coming into Wednesday, allowing no earned runs and only one hit over his previous nine outings, though only two of those were save situations. Los Angeles has already clinched the NL West and holds the best record in the majors, but Kimbrel's inconsistency is cause for concern as the team heads toward the postseason. The veteran has posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.36 WHIP while taking six losses and blowing five saves through 54 appearances on the campaign.