The New York Mets are making a significant roster change, reportedly bringing veteran pitcher Craig Kimbrel back to the major leagues. This decision follows his signing of a minor league deal with the team earlier in January. Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star, boasts an impressive career, ranking fifth all-time in saves. Despite a recent decline in performance, the Mets are looking to him to strengthen their bullpen.
New York Mets Recall All-Star Reliever Craig Kimbrel
In a move that has captured the attention of baseball enthusiasts, the New York Mets have officially called up veteran closer Craig Kimbrel, as widely reported on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The 37-year-old right-hander, who initially joined the Mets organization on a minor league contract in January, is set to rejoin the big leagues. Kimbrel's distinguished career includes 440 saves, placing him fifth in the all-time rankings. He previously dominated the National League, leading in saves for four consecutive seasons with the Atlanta Braves, a run that began with his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2011. His career trajectory saw him record 39 saves for the San Diego Padres in 2015, followed by three consecutive seasons with over 30 saves for the Boston Red Sox from 2016 to 2018. However, his performance has since experienced a downturn, leading him to play for seven different major league teams in the past seven seasons. Last season, Kimbrel primarily pitched in the minor leagues, making 42 appearances across the Braves, Texas Rangers, and Houston Astros organizations, with only 14 major league appearances, 13 of which were with Houston and one with Atlanta. Overall, he holds a career record of 56-48 with an impressive 2.58 ERA over 851 relief appearances. While the exact corresponding transaction was not immediately disclosed, this call-up comes as right-handed starter Clay Holmes exited Friday's game against the Athletics due to left hamstring tightness.
The return of a seasoned closer like Craig Kimbrel to the major league roster highlights the dynamic nature of professional baseball. It underscores the continuous strategic adjustments teams make to optimize their performance, even by tapping into the experience of veterans who may have faced recent challenges. This move could provide the Mets with valuable bullpen stability, demonstrating that past achievements and leadership qualities can still be vital assets in the relentless pursuit of victory.
