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No worries about Kimbrel at start of spring games

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- While pitching in foreign situations and strengthening their arms, baseball's most dominant closers often encounter some rough outings during the Grapefruit League season.

But it was still somewhat odd to see Craig Kimbrel allow a pair of hits and a run in the third inning of Monday's 7-6 win over the Marlins at Champion Stadium. The All-Star allowed just one hit and worked eight scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play last year.

"You don't worry about that stuff," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "You worry about them getting their arms in shape and getting ready for the season."

Kimbrel surrendered a ground-rule double to Chris Coghlan to begin the third inning and a two-out RBI single to Joe Mahoney. Still, his command was better than it was on Friday, when he issued a pair of walks in his Grapefruit League debut.

Kimbrel will make two more appearances before leaving camp on Sunday to compete with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.