Trending Now - Mets Reinforce Bullpen With Nine-time All-star Kimbrel

WHO:

MLB.com - Craig Kimbrel is 37 years old.

MLB.com - Clay Holmes is the Mets' most consistent pitcher through three rotation turns.

MLB.com - Craig Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star and likely future Hall of Famer, is joining the Mets bullpen.

MLB.com - David Stearns is the Mets president of baseball operations.

MLB.com - Clay Holmes is the Mets' starting pitcher who suffered a hamstring injury.

MLB.com - Carlos Mendoza is the Mets' manager.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Kimbrel's contract will guarantee him a salary of $2.5 million upon being added to the active roster.

MLB.com - Kimbrel has had a 4.76 ERA over the past two seasons.

MLB.com - Holmes allowed one run in the third inning before leaving the game on April 10th, 2026.

MLB.com - Kimbrel has a career 2.58 ERA over 16 Major League seasons.

MLB.com - Clay Holmes expressed optimism about his injury, stating, "I feel like I’ll be able to make my next start."

MLB.com - Holmes allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings before leaving the game on April 10th, 2026.

MLB.com - Sean Manaea has a 3.00 ERA over nine innings as a reliever this season.

MLB.com - Kimbrel's fastball hit 94.2 mph during his debut for Single-A St. Lucie on April 4th, 2026, which is an increase from his spring training velocity.

MLB.com - Kimbrel has a 4.76 ERA over the past two seasons, which includes a 5.33 ERA during the 2024 season with the Orioles.

MLB.com - Kimbrel's contract includes three built-in opt-out dates, with the first being five days before Opening Day.

MLB.com - Kimbrel's selection to the active roster will add an additional $2.75 million tax bill to the Mets due to their luxury tax status.

NY Post - The Mets called up reliever Craig Kimbrel on April 11th, 2026, and designated lefty Richard Lovelady for assignment to make room on the 26-man roster.

MLB Trade Rumors - Kimbrel's minor league contract, which he signed in January, will now guarantee him a salary of $2.5 million upon being added to the active roster.

MLB.com - Kimbrel has had a 5.33 ERA during the 2024 season with the Orioles, leading to his designation for assignment and release before the end of September.

MLB Trade Rumors - Kimbrel's fastball averaged 93.5 mph over his 12-inning sample size in 2025, and he has adjusted his repertoire by incorporating a changeup and slider more frequently into his arsenal.

MLB.com - The Mets intend to activate Craig Kimbrel before their game on April 13th, 2026.

MLB.com - Kimbrel's Minor League contract is valued at $2.5 million, which will become guaranteed once he is active.

MLB.com - Kimbrel ranks fifth all-time on the Major League saves list with 440 saves.

MLB.com - Clay Holmes exited the game on April 10th, 2026, due to left hamstring tightness.

MLB.com - Holmes allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings before leaving the game.

MLB.com - Sean Manaea is a leading candidate to replace Holmes if he must miss time.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The Mets are based in New York.

MLB.com - The game where Holmes was injured took place at Citi Field.

WHEN:

MLB.com - Kimbrel is expected to be activated on April 13th, 2026, before the game against the Athletics.

MLB.com - Kimbrel is expected to be activated on April 13th, 2026, before the game against the A's.

MLB.com - Kimbrel's contract was signed in January 2026.

MLB.com - Kimbrel is expected to be activated on April 13th, 2026.

MLB.com - Holmes suffered his injury during the game on April 10th, 2026.

MLB.com - Kimbrel made his debut for Single-A St. Lucie on April 4th, 2026.

WHY:

MLB.com - The Mets are looking to bolster their bullpen due to early season struggles and injuries.

MLB.com - The Mets are experiencing early season struggles and injuries, prompting the need to bolster their bullpen.

MLB.com - The Mets are looking to bolster their bullpen after experiencing injury issues and a high turnover of pitchers, with 46 different players pitching for the Mets in 2025.

MLB.com - The Mets are looking to bolster their bullpen due to early season struggles and injuries.

HOW:

MLB.com - Kimbrel chose to stay in Port St. Lucie to continue pitching instead of opting out of his contract.

(UPDATED April 12, 2026 07:17 UTC)

The Mets are set to activate Craig Kimbrel April 13th, ahead of their game against the Athletics, as they look to strengthen their bullpen amid early season struggles and injuries. Kimbrel, who is 37 years old and has a 4.76 ERA over the past two seasons, will receive a guaranteed salary of $2.5 million upon joining the active roster. Meanwhile, Clay Holmes has emerged as the Mets' most consistent pitcher, despite allowing one run in the third inning before leaving the game on Friday.

(UPDATED April 12, 2026 01:19 UTC)

In Major League Baseball news, Craig Kimbrel, who boasts a career ERA of 2.58 over 16 seasons, is set to be activated April 13th, ahead of the game against the Athletics. Clay Holmes, who allowed one run in 5 and a third innings before leaving his start on Friday, expressed optimism about his injury, saying he feels ready to make his next start. Meanwhile, Sean Manaea has been performing well as a reliever this season, holding a solid 3.00 ERA over nine innings.

(UPDATED April 11, 2026 23:05 UTC)

In a move to strengthen their struggling bullpen, the Mets have added Craig Kimbrel to their active roster after he debuted for Single-A St. Lucie on Saturday, where he hit 94.2 mph with his fastball. Kimbrel, who has a 4.76 ERA over the past two seasons, signed his contract in January and it includes three opt-out dates, with the first coming just five days before Opening Day. This addition will also bring an extra $2.75 million tax bill for the Mets due to their luxury tax status.

(UPDATED April 11, 2026 21:05 UTC)

The Mets have called up reliever Craig Kimbrel and designated lefty Richard Lovelady for assignment to make room on their 26-man roster. Kimbrel, who signed a minor league contract in January, will now earn a guaranteed salary of $2.5 million after being added to the active roster, despite a challenging 2024 season with a 5.33 ERA while with the Orioles. The move comes as the Mets aim to strengthen their bullpen following a tough year that saw 46 different players take the mound for them in 2025.

(UPDATED April 11, 2026 19:12 UTC)

The Mets are set to activate nine-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel before their game April 13th, as they look to strengthen their bullpen amid early season struggles and injuries. Kimbrel, who ranks fifth all-time on the Major League saves list with 440 saves, recently signed a Minor League contract valued at $2.5 million, which will become guaranteed once he is active. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Clay Holmes exited the game on Friday due to left hamstring tightness, and Sean Manaea is a leading candidate to step in if Holmes needs to miss time.