Craig Kimbrel Signs With Rays and Throws Scoreless Debut
The move gives Tampa Bay an experienced late-inning reliever while pointing to questions about Kimbrel’s diminished velocity and role stability.
Overview
- Kimbrel signed with the Tampa Bay Rays and made a scoreless appearance for the club on Tuesday, May 26, striking out two batters and finishing the ninth inning.
- The Rays opened a roster spot by placing right-hander Jesse Scholtens on the 15-day injured list with a right wrist strain to add Kimbrel to the active roster.
- Kimbrel became a free agent after the New York Mets designated him for assignment on May 22 and he refused a minor-league assignment, finishing his Mets stint 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in 14 outings.
- A nine-time All-Star and the 2011 NL Rookie of the Year, Kimbrel ranks fifth all time with 440 career saves but has bounced between Triple-A and the majors since his last closing role in 2024.
- At age 37 his fastball has lost velocity by Statcast measures and his signing underscores the Rays’ pattern of adding veteran relievers for short-term bullpen depth, so watch how Tampa Bay uses him and how long he stays on the roster.