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The Rays signed Kimbrel to a one-year contract Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Kimbrel elected free agency Monday after being removed from the Mets' 40-man roster, and he's managed to quickly land another major-league contract. Slated to turn 38 on Thursday, Kimbrel posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings with the Mets. The Rays are often able to work magic with pitchers and see something with Kimbrel they might be able to tap into, but he's nevertheless a long shot to produce fantasy value in Tampa Bay.
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Craig Kimbrel: Heads to free agency
Rotowire
Kimbrel elected free agency Monday.
Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday and was then sent outright to Triple-A. However, instead of accepting an assignment to the minors, the veteran right-hander will choose to search for a big-league opportunity elsewhere.
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Mets' Craig Kimbrel: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Mets outrighted Kimbrel to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.
Kimbrel will presumably elect free agency rather than accept an outright assignment, but he doesn't seem to have officially done that yet. The veteran reliever was booted off the Mets' 40-man roster last week after posting a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings.
The Mets designated Kimbrel for assignment Friday.
Kimbrel's brief stint with the Mets was unsuccessful, as he collected a 6.00 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15 innings out of the bullpen. He is likely to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent. Kimbrel will turn 38 next week and could have to accept a minor-league contract if he wants to continue his playing career.
The Mets selected Kimbrel's contract from Single-A St. Lucie on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Kimbrel reported to Single-A to begin the regular season after failing to win a roster spot out of spring training. He struck out two batters over two shutout frames at St. Lucie, and he'll now claim a spot in the Mets' bullpen. The 37-year-old's days of working as a closer are likely behind him, especially with Devin Williams on the roster, but Kimbrel could still be an effective middle reliever after putting up a 2.25 ERA across 12 innings between Houston and Atlanta last season.
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Mets' Craig Kimbrel: Out of running for bullpen job
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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Kimbrel won't be included on the Mets' Opening Day roster, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.
The nine-time All-Star has been attending spring training as a non-roster invitee and struck out five batters while allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks over six innings in the Grapefruit League. Kimbrel's minor-league deal is believed to include multiple opt-out dates, but Mendoza told Goodman that the 37-year-old righty is "leaning" toward staying in the organization and reporting to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the season.
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Mets' Craig Kimbrel: Still chasing roster spot
Rotowire
Kimbel did not exercise the first opt out in his minor-league contract with the Mets as he continues to pursue a spot on the Opening Day roster, Pat Ragazzo of SI.com reports.
New York's bullpen competition got a little bit narrower Friday with the club cutting Austin Warren, Kevin Herget and Robert Stock from big-league camp. Kimbrel has given up three runs with a 5:5 K:BB across six innings during spring training, but manager Carlos Mendoza has been impressed with the late life on Kimbrel's fastball. Bryan Hudson and Richard Lovelady are the remaining internal competition for a bullpen spot, but the Mets could bring in some outside arms as teams begin to trim the rosters for Opening Day.
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Mets' Craig Kimbrel: Still battling for bullpen spot
Rotowire
Kimbrel is in the running the final spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.
Left-hander Bryan Hudson is also getting a long look, with Austin Warren and Richard Lovelady in the mix as well. Kimbrel is a shadow of the dominant closer he was a decade ago, but the 37-year-old righty has impressed Mets manager Carlos Mendoza with the late life on his fastball, which sits around 93 mph these days. "He's doing what he is supposed to be doing," Mendoza said Monday. Kimbrel does have a 2.25 ERA through four spring innings, but it comes with a 2:4 K:BB. If he does make the 26-man roster, he would have a base salary of $2.5 million.
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Mets' Craig Kimbrel: Nabs minor-league deal with Mets
Rotowire
Kimbrel signed a minor-league contract with the Mets that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Kimbrel spent time with Atlanta and Houston in 2025, appearing in 14 MLB games and posting a 2.25 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP and a 17:7 KBB across 12 innings. Entering his age-38 season, Kimbrel will get an opportunity with the Mets, but he may need a strong showing during spring training in order to earn a place on the Opening Day roster.
Kimbrel signed with the Astros on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Kimbrel was granted his release by the Rangers on Thursday and inked his new deal the same day. He's made only one appearance in the majors this season, which came with Atlanta. The Astros are in need of bullpen help with Josh Hader (shoulder) sidelined, but Kimbrel is unlikely to factor into the saves picture.
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Craig Kimbrel: Becomes free agent
Rotowire
Kimbrel was granted his release at Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Kimbrel signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers in June, but he never made it to the big club in Texas. He remained at Round Rock, where he had a 3.86 ERA across 21 innings, until his release Thursday.
Kimbrel signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Kimbrel elected free agency Monday after being pushed off Atlanta's 40-man roster, but it didn't take long for him to find his next gig with Texas. It's worth noting that the 37-year-old is only on a minor-league deal, so another move will need to be made for him to join the active roster. However, he owns a 2.00 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in Triple-A this season, so there's a decent chance he'll get another shot in the majors at some point.
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