Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward an agricultural baler (10) including a needle (92) disposed within a baling chamber (14). The needle transfers a strap (76) to a gripping device. The agricultural baler includes a needle gripper (98) disposed on a distal end (100) of the needle and configured to selectively secure the strap to the needle. The needle gripper includes a thumb gripper (102) rotatably mounted to a wall (106) of the needle gripper. The thumb gripper rotates between a first position (154) configured to secure the strap against a surface (103) of the needle and a second position (174) configured to release the strap from the needle. The needle gripper includes a release arm (138) coupled to the thumb gripper and configured to rotate the thumb gripper from the first position to the second position in response to rotation of the release arm about a release arm axis (148) from a neutral position (154) to a first release position (170).
