Craig Kimbrel has long been a thorn in the New York Mets‘ sides. Now he’s hoping he starts the season on their roster.
The veteran reliever opened up about his potential to make the Mets and his struggles to find his former velocity as opening day draws near.
Kimbrel has an impressive resume, which includes nine All-Star Game appearances, an NL Reliever of the Year award and a World Series ring as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He boasts a 1.38 ERA with 30 saves and a sub-1 WHIP (0.876) in 46 appearances against the Mets.
Craig Kimbrel’s Velocity is Down in Spring Training
Kimbrel has struggled in recent years yet signed a minor-league contract with the Mets this offseason. The veteran righty, whose 440 career saves are second most among active relievers behind Kenley Jansen, is only reaching 92 mph with his fast ball, even though he says his body feels good.
“We’re getting close to the end,” Kimbrel said according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. “My body feels good. I wish I could show a little bit more out there velocity-wise. I’m throwing most of my pitches like I want to, but not all of them. That’s about where I am.”
Despite his passable 3.60 ERA in spring training, Kimbrel has walked five and hit two batters in five innings in Grapefruit League action. He has struck out only two and has a 1.60 WHIP in five games for the Mets.
Still, Kimbrel believes he can contribute for the Mets this season, or any team if the Mets decide not to add him to their major-league roster.
“It’s not up to me,” Kimbrel said. “It just kind of depends on what they want the roster to look like, who they want down in the bullpen and who they think is going to help the team to start the year. Do I feel like I can do that? Absolutely. But it’s not my choice.”
The Mets Bullpen Has One Spot Available
Kimbrel’s best days are definitely behind him. He has struggled with velocity and control over the past two seasons, where he has gone 7-6 with a 4.76 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 23 saves and minus-0.7 bWAR for the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.
Still, Kimbrel would have been considered the favorite to lock down the Mets’ one remaining bullpen role before camp started. He did have a bounce-back season in 2025, albeit in 12 innings, striking out 17 and pitching to a 2.25 ERA.
But if the Mets don’t want to worry about what Kimbrel has left, they could go with a familiar face in Austin Warren or Richard Lovelady. Lovelady, the lefty who was claimed off waivers last week despite pitching to a 6.38 ERA in 10 innings with the Mets in 2025, but Warren was 1-0 with an 0.96 ERA in an extremely small sample of 9 1/3 innings.
The Mets could also be inclined to pick up a reliever when teams set their 26-man rosters next week, since some better pitchers will be made available.
Even with the uncertainty, the Mets bullpen expects to again be a strength. The back end is highlighted by two new relievers, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, plus incumbents A.J. Minter, Huascar Brazoban and Brooks Raley.
Veteran Mets Pitcher Sends Strong Message on His Future as Opening Day Nears