BALTIMORE -- The Rays added an experienced, highly decorated arm to their bullpen on Tuesday, signing veteran right-hander Craig Kimbrel to a Major League contract.
Kimbrel joined the Rays at Camden Yards on Tuesday and pitched a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts and an infield single in Tampa Bay’s 6-1 loss to Baltimore.
“That was pretty cool. Stuff looked really good,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “Came in, filled up the strike zone. I think he can definitely help us."
To make room on the active roster, right-handed pitcher Jesse Scholtens was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right wrist strain. Cash said the Rays aren’t “overly concerned” about Scholtens, but he was sent back to the Tampa Bay area for further evaluation.
Kimbrel, who will turn 38 on Thursday, was designated for assignment by the Mets last Friday after going 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 15 innings. He cleared waivers and became a free agent when he declined a Minor League assignment.
“I couldn't be happier to be here,” said Kimbrel, who will wear No. 46 with the Rays. “It's an amazing opportunity, and I'm trying to make the best of it.”
The Rays had interest in acquiring Kimbrel earlier in his career but never lined up on an agreement. This time, Kimbrel said, a deal “came together pretty quick.” He was hanging out in New York after being let go by the Mets, evaluating his options, and was pleased when the Rays reached out.
“Definitely a guy that we've talked about and we've kind of admired from the other dugout or on the mound when he's pitching,” Cash said. “I think with our opportunity, and us being a little beat up in the bullpen right now, it made a lot of sense. So, happy to welcome him here.”
It’s not yet clear what role Kimbrel will serve in the bullpen, but Cash said the Rays “like the way his stuff is coming out of his hand” and expect both his pitching and his presence will boost their relief corps.
The Rays have benefited from the performance and leadership of two veterans they added to their rotation, Nick Martinez and Steven Matz. Kimbrel could have a similar impact on their bullpen.
“From everything we've heard for many years about the teammate he is, the quality of person, I would expect he's going to be a great influence for a lot of guys,” Cash said. “Nobody's lived it even remotely close to what he's done out in the bullpen, and that's another part in how happy we are to have him.”
Kimbrel has put together a Hall of Fame-worthy career over the last 17 seasons, racking up 440 saves -- fifth-most all-time -- with a 2.64 ERA and 1,299 strikeouts in 866 appearances. He’s a nine-time All-Star, a 2018 World Series champion and the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award winner, and he won both Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year (2014) as well as the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year (2017) honors.
“I think it's awesome,” said Matz, who lives near Kimbrel in the Nashville area in the offseason. “He's a great guy. I remember watching him throw this offseason like, 'Wow, he's still got a lot left in the tank.' It's great to have someone with that much experience here. Great addition.”
Kimbrel hasn’t pitched at the back end of a bullpen since 2024, when he recorded 23 saves with the Orioles. He 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. He didn’t break camp with the Mets but joined their ‘pen in early April.
“The New York Mets organization treated me really well,” Kimbrel said. “I really enjoyed my time there. But it’s the way things presented themselves. In baseball, sometimes things don’t work out. This is a great opportunity for me, so I hope I can make it work.”
As well as things have been going for the Rays, who own the American League’s best record, their bullpen has a 4.40 ERA that ranks 21st in the Majors. They’ve 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.
“Some of the analytical things they do here, pitch-shaping and just understanding how to get guys to swing-and-miss is really good here,” Kimbrel said. “To get the opportunity to come here and kind of pick the guys' brains, and then seeing what they have to offer me … they've already said they have some things for me, so I'm excited to go through that and then see what it brings.”