Veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a major league contract, sources told ESPN, adding a fresh arm to the Astros' ailing bullpen as they try to hold on to their lead in the American League West.

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.

One of the elite relief pitchers of his generation, Kimbrel has ping-ponged among seven big league teams since 2021 and heads to an Astros team in desperate need of bullpen help after a shoulder injury sidelined closer Josh Hader. Houston's lead in the AL West

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