NEW YORK (AP) — Nine-time All-Star reliever Craig Kimbrel joined his 10th major league team Saturday when the New York Mets selected his contract from Class A St. Lucie.
A 37-year-old right-hander, Kimbrel is fifth in the career saves behind Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601) along with Lee Smith and Kenley Jansen (both 478).
Kimbrel replaced mop-up man Richard Lovelady, who was designated for assignment.
“If the game calls for a high leverage, I’m not going to hesitate,” manager manager Carlos Mendoza said of Kimbrel. “Well on his way to being a Hall of Famer. It’s not like a guy that’s coming up to the big leagues for the first time. He’s been in those roles for a long time and had a pretty successful career.”
Kimbrel had a 2.25 ERA in 14 games last season with Atlanta and Houston.
He agreed in January to a deal with the Mets that specified if he was added to the 40-man roster he would get a $2.5 million salary while in the major leagues and a $350,000 salary while in the minors. While in the majors, he can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for games pitched: $200,000 each for 20 and each additional five through 40.
“My body feels good,” Kimbrel said. “Ready to take the ball and do whatever I need to do.”
Kimbrel hasn’t gotten a save since July 7, 2024, with Baltimore. He had a sore back late in the season and had an 11.50 ERA in his final 19 appearances.
He pitched a scoreless inning for St. Lucie on Tuesday in his only minor league appearance this year. He threw nine pitches: six fastballs that averaged 93.5 mph along with one each of a cutter, sweeper and knuckle-curve.
“I get an adrenaline boost every time I get an opportunity to pitch in a big league ballgame,” Kimbrel said. “Somebody told me a long time go as soon as that goes away, it’s time to go home. And I still have that excitement and driven to go out there and compete and put on a jersey and represent a city, wherever that is.”
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