Trending Now - Craig Kimbrel Joins Rays After Parting Ways With Mets
WHO:
MLB.com - Craig Kimbrel, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets
NY Post - Craig Kimbrel
WHAT:
MLB.com - Kimbrel has not pitched at the back end of a bullpen since 2024, when he recorded 23 saves with the Orioles.
MLB.com - Kimbrel has bounced around the big leagues since Baltimore released him in September 2024, going from the Braves to the Rangers to the Astros before landing with the Mets on a Minor League deal in January.
MLB.com - The Rays have spent the entire season so far without right-handers Edwin Uceta, Manuel Rodríguez, and Steven Wilson, and right-hander Cole Sulser is currently sidelined by a low back strain.
MLB.com - The Rays have agreed to a Major League contract with Craig Kimbrel.
MLB.com - Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Mets after going 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 15 innings.
MLB.com - Kimbrel has recorded 440 saves, the fifth-most all-time, with a 2.65 ERA and 1,297 strikeouts in 865 appearances over his 17-year career.
MLB.com - Kimbrel's most recent outing was last Wednesday, where he allowed two runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Nationals.
MLB.com - The Rays' bullpen has a 4.40 ERA, ranking 21st in the Majors.
MLB.com - Nick Martinez has a 1.51 ERA in 10 starts, the second-lowest among qualified starters in the Majors.
MLB.com - Martinez leads the Rays with 2.6 Wins Above Replacement.
MLB.com - Martinez is one of only 17 traditional starters in baseball’s Modern Era to record 10 straight starts allowing two runs or fewer to begin a season.
MLB.com - Martinez has a 66.5% first-pitch strike rate and has only walked 5% of the batters he has faced.
WHERE:
MLB.com - The Rays are based in Tampa Bay, Florida.
MLB.com - Kimbrel's last game with the Mets was against the Nationals.
WHEN:
MLB.com - Kimbrel will turn 38 on Thursday.
MLB.com - Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Mets last Friday.
MLB.com - Kimbrel could join Tampa Bay’s bullpen in time for Tuesday night’s game against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
WHY:
MLB.com - Kimbrel declined a Minor League assignment, which allowed him to become a free agent.
HOW:
MLB.com - Kimbrel cleared waivers and became a free agent when he declined a Minor League assignment.
MLB.com - Kimbrel cleared waivers after being designated for assignment.
(UPDATED May 27, 2026 04:20 UTC)
Craig Kimbrel has not pitched in a bullpen since 2024, when he recorded twenty-three saves with the Orioles, and he has since moved through several teams, including the Braves, Rangers, and Astros, before signing a Minor League deal with the Mets in January. After clearing waivers and declining a Minor League assignment, Kimbrel became a free agent. Meanwhile, the Rays are dealing with injuries, as they have been without right-handers Edwin Uceta, Manuel Rodríguez, and Steven Wilson all season, and Cole Sulser is currently sidelined due to a low back strain.
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(UPDATED May 26, 2026 19:39 UTC)
The Tampa Bay Rays have signed Craig Kimbrel to a Major League contract after he was designated for assignment by the New York Mets, where he struggled with a record of zero wins and two losses, a 6.00 ERA, and 15 strikeouts in 15 innings. Kimbrel, who has an impressive career total of 440 saves, the fifth-most in MLB history, could potentially join the Rays' bullpen in time for their upcoming game against the Orioles on Tuesday night at Camden Yards. As Kimbrel approaches his 38th birthday on Thursday, he declined a Minor League assignment, which allowed him to become a free agent and find a new opportunity with Tampa Bay.