Craig Kimbrel to join the Iowa Cubs in Sacramento, likely to make Des Moines appearance Thursday

Craig Kimbrel isn’t quite ready to help the Chicago Cubs.

But he’s ready to pitch for the Iowa Cubs.

Kimbrel, a seven-time All-Star and one of the best closers in baseball, will join Iowa in Sacramento and is expected to pitch on Tuesday.

The right-handed throwing Kimbrel is expected to pitch around five games with Iowa before heading to Chicago. He’s been in Arizona, getting ready for the season after missing the start of it while waiting for a contract.

Kimbrel, who has amassed 333 career saves in stints with the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox, is coming off a World Series run with the Red Sox.

After helping the Red Sox to a title, Kimbrel went unsigned this season until the Cubs' June 7 announcement that they and Kimbrel had agreed on a three-year contract that covers the 2019-2021 seasons. It also includes a vesting/club option for the 2022 campaign.

► PREVIOUSLY:Cubs sign Craig Kimbrel; plan to option him to Iowa

Shortly after signing Kimbrel, the Cubs announced that they would be optioning him to Triple-A Iowa. Because Kimbrel went unsigned so for so long, he’ll need time to get into big-league shape again. His stint with Iowa is expected to be the final tune-up he’ll need before heading to Chicago.

Iowa is in the middle of a four-game series at Sacramento. The Cubs return to Principal Park on Thursday for a nine-game homestand. And Kimbrel is likely to be with the club.