PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- With 16 seasons in the Majors and a résumé that includes nine All-Star selections and 440 saves, Craig Kimbrel has nothing left to prove. Yet there was the 37-year-old Saturday, taking the mound at Clover Park for his first appearance of the spring as he attempts to extend his career to a 17th season.
Kimbrel, who signed a Minor League deal with the Mets on Jan. 29, allowed one run on one hit and two walks against the Nationals, but both the right-hander and his manager were encouraged by his debut.
“It’s way too early, but we saw some 92, 93 [mph] life on the fastball, the shape of the breaking ball -- it was a good sign today,” Carlos Mendoza said. “On the back field during live BP, the velo was around 88, 90. Today, facing another team, we saw some 92, 93, and the breaking ball was there.”
Kimbrel said he was “more focused” as he faced another team for the first time this spring, though he admitted being a “little frustrated” by the pair of two-out walks. He even threw one cutter during his 25-pitch inning, testing out a new pitch he’s been working on this spring.
“It's a pitch I'm kind of trying to mix in, trying to get guys off my fastball and open up some more offspeed opportunities,” Kimbrel said. “It’s coming along. How much I'm going to use it? I think how well I can command it and control it is going to have a lot to do with that.”