The New York Mets have officially selected veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel‘s contract, integrating him into their active roster. This move was reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post on April 11, 2026, marking Kimbrel’s return to Major League Baseball.
Kimbrel had initially joined the Mets on a minor league contract in January. This agreement stipulated a $2.5 million earning upon his promotion to the active roster. Due to his extensive service time, Kimbrel qualified as an Article XX(B) free agent, and his minor league deal included three opt-out dates: five days before Opening Day, May 1, and June 1.
Despite not making the Opening Day roster, Kimbrel chose to forgo his initial opt-out opportunity. He spent his time in the minor leagues, pitching a single inning for the Mets’ A-level affiliate in St. Lucie. During his brief stint in Single-A, Kimbrel recorded two strikeouts over two shutout frames, as reported by CBS Sports.
The Mets currently have two open spots on their 40-man roster. However, a corresponding transaction will be necessary to accommodate Kimbrel on the 26-man active roster. Last season, the team utilized 46 different pitchers, reflecting a high turnover rate due to injuries and frequent bullpen rotations between Triple-A and the majors.
Among the pitchers in the Mets’ current bullpen, only Huascar Brazoban and Tobias Myers retain minor league options. Myers pitched 36 pitches in a long relief appearance the previous night after starter Clay Holmes exited due to hamstring tightness. If Myers is not optioned down, Richard Lovelady could be a candidate for designation for assignment to clear a spot for Kimbrel.
Kimbrel, who is 37 years old, is not expected to reclaim a closer role, especially with Devin Williams also on the roster. Nevertheless, he is anticipated to be an effective middle reliever. Last season, Kimbrel posted a 2.25 ERA across 12 innings while splitting time between Houston and Atlanta, demonstrating his continued capability.
