BALTIMORE -- The Rays have agreed to a Major League contract with Craig Kimbrel, the team announced Tuesday, adding an experienced arm to their bullpen.
Kimbrel could join Tampa Bay’s bullpen in time for Tuesday night’s game against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
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.
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.
The right-hander has put together Hall of Fame-type numbers over the course of his 17-year career, racking up 440 saves -- fifth-most all-time -- with a 2.65 ERA and 1,297 strikeouts in 865 appearances. But he 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 ‘24, 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.
Kimbrel’s most recent outing was last Wednesday, when he allowed two runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Nationals.
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.