Craig

Kimbrel

The move is now official. Kimbrel was in Mets camp as a non-roster invitee this spring and will arrive in New York prior to Saturday’s game against the Athletics after spending a couple weeks in the minors. The 37-year-old veteran figures to pitch in middle relief situation considering his days as a flame-throwing closer are long gone. He made 14 appearances between the Braves and Astros last year. His last big-league save, the 440th of his career, came with the Orioles back in 2024.

It’s challenging to forecast Kimbrel making a significant impact for New York since the long-time former closer is throwing in the low-90’s these days. The 37-year-old veteran has achieved journeyman status the past couple years, bouncing around between several organizations. He made 14 appearances between the Braves and Astros last year. His last big-league save, the 440th of his career, came with the Orioles back in 2024.

It’s unclear if the 37-year-old hurler will be willing to go to Triple-A Syracuse until there’s a need at the big league level or if he’ll want to explore opportunities elsewhere instead. Kimbrel posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 5/5 K/BB ratio over six innings during six Grapefruit League appearances.

The 37-year-old right-hander allowed just one baserunner in the outing — a leadoff walk to Heriberto Hernandez. He rebounded nicely though, retiring the next three hitters in order, including punchouts of Connor Norby and Maximo Acosta. Kimbrel’s velocity was still down in this one, averaging 91.9 mph (-1.6 mph) on his fastball. He’ll probably have to get that back up and string together several good outings if he’s going to crack the Mets’ Opening Day bullpen.

Kimbrel might have had a one-two-three inning with a quality third baseman, but Bo Bichette just didn’t show much range on an 84-mph groundball double from Brady House to start the inning. Kimbrel got a groundout and a sac fly afterwards, but he then walked two before a popout ended the inning. Kimbrel averaged 92.6 mph with his fastball today, down from 93.5 mph last year. He’ll definitely have to look a little better in order to have a real shot of making the Mets.

We thought Kimbrel might sign with one of the closer-less teams if he opted to continue his career, but that’s not the case here. The 37-year-old showed especially diminished velocity at the beginning of last year after signing with the Braves, but he did get it back some later on and wound up a 2.45 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 11 innings with the Astros at the end of the year. One of the most successful relievers of all-time, Kimbrel has racked up 440 saves, putting him fifth on the career list. His 159 ERA+ is the 10th-best figure for anyone with 500 career innings since 1900.

He allowed one hit, a 107-mph line-drive single, while working the eighth with the Astros down by one run. Kimbrel averaged 93.1 mph with his fastball today. That’s still down about three mph from a couple of years ago, but he’s gotten stronger since coming in at 91.5 mph in his lone appearance for the Braves in June.

The 37-year-old right-hander made just one appearance in the big leagues with the Braves earlier this season, working a scoreless inning. He had then posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 28/12 K/BB ratio over 21 innings for the Rangers at Triple-A Round Rock before getting released on Thursday. He’ll add another capable high-leverage reliever to an Astros’ bullpen that’s trying to make up for the loss of Josh Hader (shoulder).

The Rangers granted Kimbrel’s release from his minor league deal so that he could sign a big league deal with the Astros. He’ll add another arm with closing experience to an Houston’s bullpen that has lost elite closer Josh Hader (shoulder) for the remainder of the season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him work his way into a setup role in front of Bryan Abreu given his resume, but the previously-elite stuff simply hasn’t been there this season regardless of where he’s pitched.

The good news is that Kimbrel’s velocity is creeping up. The Braves quickly gave up on him after he averaged 91.5 mph with his fastball in his one appearance for them earlier this month. Last night, he averaged 93.1 mph. If he can keep building, he might have a chance to help Texas. He thus far has a 2.95 ERA and a 24/13 K/BB in 18 1/3 innings for two Triple-A teams.