Veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel has landed another opportunity to extend his career, agreeing to a minor-league contract with the New York Mets that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Kimbrel, 37, owns 440 career saves, the fifth-most in Major League Baseball history. Last season, he split time between Triple-A and the majors while moving through the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros organizations. Despite the frequent transitions, the right-hander was effective in limited big-league action, recording a 2.25 ERA with 17 strikeouts across 12 innings in 14 appearances, including 13 with Houston. His most recent full stint as a closer came in 2024, when he converted 23 saves despite a 5.33 ERA with Baltimore.
This spring, Kimbrel will compete for a role in a reshaped Mets bullpen. New York lost longtime All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers but moved quickly to bolster the late innings by adding former Yankees Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. The club also signed veteran reliever Luis Garcia to a major-league deal as part of an active roster overhaul.
That recent stretch included trades for infielder Bo Bichette, right-hander Freddy Peralta, swingman Tobias Myers, and outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
Kimbrel will be among several non-roster relievers in camp, joining Carl Edwards Jr., Nick Burdi, Joe Jacques, Anderson Severino, and Kevin Herget as they vie for bullpen spots.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].