The signing comes after that bizarro 1-appearance stint with Atlanta early in the season.

Kimbrel, 37, will be joining the ninth major league team of his career and second this season after he threw one inning for Atlanta before being designated for assignment. He had spent the past two months with the Texas Rangers' Triple-A team, posting a 3.86 ERA and striking out 28 in 21 innings.

This is after Hader was put on the IL recently and is presumed out for at least the rest of the regular season. He wasn't bad in 2023, or his Cubs half of 2021, but other than that, the last five years haven't been that good. He doesn't have the same velocity as long ago:

Kimbrel's fastball velocity has dipped from a high of 98.3 mph in 2017 to an average of 92.8 mph in the minor leagues this season, according to Statcast. He continues to throw his patented knuckle curve and has added a slider, as well.

We'll find out if he has enough in the tank for a stretch run.

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