Craig Kimbrel - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Craig Kimbrel takes the fall after NY Mets leave him out of Opening Day roster in 2026 Craig Kimbrel voiced a sincere message on himself after being left out of the New York Mets' Opening Day roster.

MARCH 23 • BOLAVIP.COM

Mets Make Decision on Craig Kimbrel Craig Kimbrel will not be a part of the New York Mets' bullpen plans to start the season. The Mets have informed Kimbrel that he will not be...

MARCH 22 • SI.COM

Out of running for bullpen job Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he informed Kimbrel on Sunday that the reliever won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Impact The nine-time All-Star had been attending spring training as a non-roster invitee but ultimately fell short at winning a bullpen job with the Mets after striking 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 that he can exercise if he's not added to the big-league roster, so expect the veteran reliever to move on from the Mets and pursue opportunities elsewhere rather than reporting to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the season.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Still chasing roster spot 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Still battling for bullpen spot Kimbrel is in the running the final spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic report.

Impact 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.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE

Vying for 17th season, Kimbrel experiments with new pitch in 1st Mets outing PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- With 16 seasons in the Majors and a résumé that includes nine All-Star selections and 440 saves, Craig Kimbrel has n...

MARCH 1 • MLB.COM

Mets impressed by Craig Kimbrel's 'unreal' presence as he vies for roster spot Even as a non-roster invitee to camp, Craig Kimbrel turns heads every time he steps on a mound.

FEBRUARY 19 • NYPOST.COM

Kimbrel hoping to add to HOF-worthy resume with Mets PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- One of the first bits of commotion at Mets camp occurred Wednesday morning on a pack of pitching mounds adjacent to...

FEBRUARY 12 • MLB.COM

"Just when you think this guy can't get worse" - Fans mock Craig Kimbrel over his Wild 'AI' claim at Mets camp Nine-time All-Star relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets on Jan. 24. Kimbrel and other Mets pitchers reported for spring training on We...

FEBRUARY 12 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Deadspin | Mets sign Craig Kimbrel, Austin Barnes to minors deals Deadspin | Mets sign Craig Kimbrel, Austin Barnes to minors deals

JANUARY 30 • DEADSPIN.COM

Mets sign nine-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel to minor league deal with invitation to spring training

The New York Mets have signed reliever Craig Kimbrel to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league spring training

JANUARY 29 • Associated Press

Deadspin | Reports: Mets to sign reliever Craig Kimbrel to minor-league deal Deadspin | Reports: Mets to sign reliever Craig Kimbrel to minor-league deal

JANUARY 25 • DEADSPIN.COM

Worried About the Lack of Top-100 Cubs Prospects? Kudos for Kimbrel, and Other Cubs Bullets The former Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel is not done yet.

JANUARY 25 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

New York Mets Sign Craig Kimbrel to Minor League Deal The New York Mets continued their busy offseason by bringing in a decorated closer for bullpen depth. Late on Saturday, reliever Craig Kimbr...

JANUARY 25 • SI.COM

Nabs minor-league deal with Mets Kimbrel signed a minor-league contract with the Mets that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact 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'll likely have plenty of competition for a spot on the big-league roster when the season rolls around.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Mets sign 9-time All-Star pitcher in free agency: report The New York Mets have signed nine-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to a minor league contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Po...

JANUARY 25 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

2025 Player Reviews: Craig Kimbrel It was a bizarre homecoming for the Braves franchise’s all-time saves league - one that ended almost as soon as it began.

NOVEMBER 16, 2025 • BATTERYPOWER.COM

Former Braves, Red Sox All-Star Urged to Retire After 16 seasons Craig Kimbrel is one of the best relievers of this generation. The longtime Atlanta Braves closer may be nearing retirement.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Albies drives in 3 and León homers in 1st start since 2023 as Braves beat Astros 8-3

Ozzie Albies drove in three runs with two hits, including a go-ahead, two-run single in the fifth, Sandy León homered and also drove in three runs in his first start in more than t...

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 • Associated Press

Heineman drives in winning run in 10th inning as Blue Jays rally to beat Astros

Tyler Heineman drove in the winning run in the 10th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Tuesday night

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 • Associated Press

Cristian Javier's six no-hit innings lead Astros to 2-0 win over Angels

Cristian Javier didn’t give up a hit in six innings and three relievers completed the two-hitter to help the Houston Astros to a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels Friday night

AUGUST 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Houston Astros place catcher Victor Caratini on the concussion injured list

The Houston Astros have placed catcher Victor Caratini on the concussion injured list, putting the AL West leaders in a bind behind the plate

AUGUST 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Did the Astros skip over a familiar face to sign Craig Kimbrel? | Sporting News The Astros could've reunited with a relief pitcher they know all too well but went with the 400 save club member instead.

AUGUST 25, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Henderson, Vázquez and Rogers power Orioles to a 3-2 win over the Astros

Gunnar Henderson and Luis Vázquez homered and Trevor Rogers worked seven strong innings as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Houston Astros 3-2 to avoid a series sweep

AUGUST 24, 2025 • Associated Press

Astros outslug Orioles 10-7 as Jeremy Peña and Christian Walker each hit a 3-run homer

Jeremy Peña and Christian Walker each hit a three-run homer, and the Houston Astros outslugged the Baltimore Orioles 10-7

AUGUST 23, 2025 • Associated Press

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