CHICAGO -- New Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel took his first step to returning to the majors as he threw a 1-2-3 seventh inning for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday afternoon. Kimbrel threw eight pitches, four fastballs and four curves.
"I heard that he did really well," manager Joe Maddon said from Wrigley Field. "It's just about health. If the guy is healthy and he's ready to rock n' roll, you put him in the ninth inning."
Kimbrel induced a fly out and ground out before striking out his last batter, reportedly reaching 95 or 96 mph on the radar gun.