The New York Mets are reportedly set to promote veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to the major league roster ahead of their game against the Oakland Athletics, according to Jon Heyman.
Kimbrel, a 16-year MLB veteran and former All-Star with the Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, and Phillies, joined the Mets on a minor league deal in January and is now expected to get an opportunity in the bullpen.
Kimbrel currently ranks fifth all-time in career saves with 440, placing him just ahead of several former Mets closers, including Francisco Rodriguez, John Franco, and Billy Wagner. During spring training, he appeared in six games, recording a 4.50 ERA with five strikeouts and five walks. He also recently made a brief appearance in Single-A, where he threw a scoreless inning.
Although Kimbrel has had a decorated career and is widely regarded as one of the top relievers of his generation, expectations for his current role are more modest. The Mets have recently struggled with bullpen consistency, with relievers like Richard Lovelady and Luis García underperforming, prompting the team to shuffle options in relief.
Over his career, Kimbrel has compiled a 2.58 ERA, 1,282 strikeouts, and 440 saves, along with multiple All-Star selections and elite early-career dominance. However, his performance has declined in recent years, with more modest production since 2019 compared to his peak seasons. Despite that, he has remained a serviceable bullpen arm in limited roles, including a brief but effective stint last season.
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