The New York Mets have officially selected the contract of veteran relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, bringing him back to the major leagues. This move, reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, sees Kimbrel added to the active roster from Single-A St. Lucie.
Kimbrel, who signed a minor league contract in January, will now earn $2.5 million by joining the big league squad. Despite not making the Opening Day roster, he had agreed to waive his initial opt-out opportunity to remain in the minors, where he pitched a single inning for the Mets’ A-level affiliate.
His return addresses ongoing bullpen considerations for the Mets, a team that saw 46 different pitchers take the mound in 2025. This high number underscores both injury issues and a strategy of frequently rotating relief arms between Triple-A and the major league roster.
Kimbrel’s minor league stint involved two shutout innings for St. Lucie, where he struck out two batters. While his past role as a closer is likely behind him, particularly with Devin Williams on the roster, Kimbrel is expected to serve as an effective middle reliever.
Last season, the 37-year-old posted a 2.25 ERA across 12 innings while splitting time between Houston and Atlanta. The Mets currently have two open spots on their 40-man roster, but will need to make a corresponding transaction to accommodate Kimbrel on the 26-man active roster.
Current Mets pitchers Huascar Brazoban and Tobias Myers are among the few who still have minor league options. Myers recently threw 36 pitches in a long relief appearance after starter Clay Holmes exited due to hamstring tightness. If Myers is not optioned, Richard Lovelady could be a candidate for a designation for assignment to clear space for Kimbrel.
