Craig Kimbrel Gets His Shot: Nine-Time All-Star Finally Called Up by the Mets

The New York Mets called up nine-time All-Star reliever Craig Kimbrel on Saturday, designating Richard Lovelady for assignment to clear a roster spot. At 37 years old, Kimbrel signed a minor-league deal with the Mets in January that guaranteed him $2.5 million once he made the active roster, but he didn't crack the Opening Day squad. Instead of bailing, he stuck around and waited for his moment.

The Long Road Back

Kimbrel had a rolling opt-out clause that would have let him walk if another team came calling, but he chose to stay and keep grinding. "I think towards the end of camp I was feeling pretty good," Kimbrel said. "It just might have been a little too late." He spent the last couple weeks in the weight room, adding mass and refining his stuff. "The velocity has been pretty good and consistent. The body feels good," he said.

While the Mets headed into the regular season, Kimbrel remained at the minor-league facility in Port St. Lucie. He pitched one game for Low-A St. Lucie, throwing a perfect inning with one strikeout on just nine pitches while touching 94.2 mph. That performance earned him the call.

A Hall of Famer Ready to Work

This is Kimbrel's 10th team in 17 major-league seasons. He's fifth all-time with 440 career saves, but don't expect him closing games with the Mets. Devin Williams is locked in as the closer, so Kimbrel will operate in high-leverage situations elsewhere in the bullpen. It's a different role than what he's known, especially after a rough 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles where he posted a 5.33 ERA in 57 games before getting designated for assignment in September.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised Kimbrel's commitment. "The fact that he decided to stay back, continue to work, continue to get stronger, and waited for his opportunity, he didn't have to do that," Mendoza said. "This is a guy who is well on his way to a Hall of Fame career and he did that. And here he is getting an opportunity. I feel like he still has a lot to offer and [can] help us in a lot of different ways." When the pressure moments come, Mendoza made it clear: "If the game calls for a high-leverage, I'm not going to hesitate."

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.