Orioles name reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment

BALTIMORE – Craig Kimbrel’s time with the Orioles could be coming to an end after the struggling team nominated its former closer for a new job on Wednesday following the latest in a series of rough performances.

Kimbrel allowed six runs on three hits in ⅔ of an inning of relief in Baltimore’s 10-0 home loss to the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. Kimbrel has a 13.94 ERA in his last 11 appearances.

This season, his first with Baltimore, Kimbrel has a 5.33 ERA with six blown saves. Kimbrel, who was signed for $13 million, lost his job as closer in May.

The Orioles have lost eight of eleven games and are four games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East.

“Our motivation has just been lost over the last few months,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Tuesday. “The reasons are obvious, but a lot of it is because we have guys here who are going through a downturn – whether it’s themselves or the team.”

In a corresponding roster change, they recalled right-hander Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk.