Apr 12, 2026
3 min read
NEW YORK - Just two weeks into the season, the Mets are turning to a likely future Hall of Famer for help. The Mets selected right-hander Craig Kimbrel to the major league roster before Saturday's game, designating left-hander Richard Lovelady for assignment.Kimbrel is worth $2.5 million
NEW YORK — Less than two weeks into the season, the Mets asked the future Hall of Famer for help.
The Mets optioned right-hander Craig Kimbrel to the majors before Saturday's game, while designated shortstop Richard Lovelady for assignment. Kimbrel's minor league contract is worth $2.5 million, which becomes guaranteed upon activation.
“I'm excited,” Kimbrel said."It's a great opportunity to come out here and try to help these kids out there without throwing up shots. I'm just excited to get the opportunity and see what I can do with it."
The 37-year-old Kimbrel entered spring training as the favorite to break camp with the Mets, but velocity issues and wildness ultimately kept him off the roster.Although he could have opted out of his contract, he chose to remain in Port St. Lucie, Florida and continue pitching.He made his debut for Single-A St. Lucie on Tuesday and hit 94.2 mph – right where he was during the spring.Ticked it off from there.
In his first game with the Mets, an 11-6 loss to the A's, Kimbrel sat through a scoreless seventh inning, allowing a single and a line drive to the warning track, but struck out a pair.
Kimbrel is fifth on the major league saves list with 440, trailing only Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Kenley Jansen and Lee Smith.But he's roughed things up in recent seasons, producing a 4.76 ERA over the past two years while bouncing around in the majors.
Overall, he has a 2.58 ERA over 16 Major League seasons.
"I get an adrenaline rush every time I get a chance to play in a big ball game," Kimbrel said.
"I still have that adrenaline, that excitement to go out there and play and put the jersey on and represent the city wherever it is. So I'm excited for this opportunity and hopefully I can make a difference."
Lovelady, a roster casualty, has been in and out of the major league club over the past year.He posted a team-high 3.68 ERA in six appearances, though that hardly tells the story of his season.Often on days when other relievers were unavailable, Lovelady saved the bullpen on several occasions during his time with the Mets.
