Veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel is back in the big leagues, becoming a member of his 10th MLB team after the New York Mets selected his contract from Class A St. Lucie on Saturday.
The 37-year-old right-hander, a nine-time All-Star, ranks fifth all-time in saves, trailing only Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Lee Smith, and Kenley Jansen. To make room on the roster, the Mets designated Richard Lovelady for assignment.
Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed confidence in Kimbrel’s ability to handle key moments, noting his experience and long track record of success. Last season, Kimbrel posted a 2.25 ERA across 14 appearances with Atlanta and Houston.
Kimbrel signed with the Mets in January under a deal that includes a $2.5 million salary in the majors and $350,000 in the minors, along with performance bonuses tied to appearances.
After dealing with back issues late last season and struggling down the stretch, Kimbrel appears refreshed. He made one minor league outing this year, tossing a scoreless inning for St. Lucie.
Now healthy, Kimbrel says he feels ready to contribute in any role, adding that he still thrives on the adrenaline and competition of pitching at the highest level.
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