Juan Soto's two homers power the Mets to a 7-3 win over the Braves on June 26. As the bullpen struggles, Atlanta makes a stunning move to call up Craig Kimbrel.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of frustrating déjà vu and hopeful nostalgia for Braves Country. While old nemesis Juan Soto was busy tormenting Atlanta pitching with two home runs in a 7-3 loss to the Mets, the Braves front office made a move that sent shockwaves through the fanbase. In an effort to stabilize a beleaguered bullpen, Atlanta has called up the franchise's all-time saves leader, Craig Kimbrel, signaling a desperate but potentially brilliant attempt to salvage the season.
We’re going to mix and match, and guys are going to get a lot more opportunities.
The Braves simply had no answer for Juan Soto at Citi Field. The Mets slugger launched two homers, with his solo shot in the fourth inning breaking a tie and igniting a five-run rally that put the game out of reach. Starter Grant Holmes was chased early, and rookie Didier Fuentes took the loss, surrendering six runs in four innings. The offense sputtered, with a potential two-run homer from Marcell Ozuna being robbed by Jeff McNeil in the first inning—a play that perfectly encapsulated the team's tough luck. With the loss, the Braves fall to 37-42, remaining in third place in the NL East.
The biggest news of the day came off the field. After recent bullpen meltdowns, the Braves promoted veteran closer Craig Kimbrel from Triple-A Gwinnett. The franchise's all-time leader in saves, Kimbrel was dominant in the minors, posting a 2.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 18 innings. After a rough 2024 with Baltimore, his return on a minor league deal was seen as a low-risk gamble, but now it's become a necessity. Manager Brian Snitker's comments suggest Kimbrel will be thrown right into high-leverage situations as the team searches for stability.
Despite the team's struggles, Ronald Acuña Jr. continues to be a force. He extended his hot streak with a two-run single in the ninth, capping a 10-game stretch where he's gone 12-for-32 with two homers. Meanwhile, rookie catcher Drake Baldwin provided one of the few offensive sparks with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Baldwin officially graduated from prospect status today and has quickly become one of the most productive rookies in the league, providing a much-needed bright spot in a challenging season.
Kimbrel's arrival underscores the dire state of the Braves' pitching staff. The team is still without key arms like Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Joe Jimenez, and Daysbel Hernandez. The biggest blow came with the news that AJ Smith-Shawver, who also graduated from prospect status, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. While the present is painful, the farm system continues to produce, with outfielders Owen Carey and Isaiah Drake showing promise in the lower levels and 16-year-old flamethrower Raudy Reyes turning heads.
The loss to the Mets stings, pushing the Braves further below .500 and deeper in the NL East standings. But Thursday wasn't just about another loss; it was about a potential solution. The return of Craig Kimbrel is a bold, nostalgic, and necessary move. Whether the 37-year-old can recapture his old magic is the biggest question facing this team. As Atlanta looks to salvage the series, all eyes will be on the bullpen door, waiting for a familiar face to emerge and, hopefully, turn the tide.
