Mets call up former Red Sox World Series champion to bolster bullpen

The New York Mets need to bolster their bullpen depth and called up a former Red Sox All-Star closer.

Craig Kimbrel will join the Mets on Saturday as their series continues against the Athletics, The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported.

The 37-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Mets this offseason and didn’t make the Opening Day roster. Despite having an opt out clause in his contract, Kimbrel elected to stay with the Mets and report to Triple-A.

Kimbrel appeared in one game for the Syracuse Mets and amassed a strikeout in one innings.

The veteran right-hander won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He was dominant throughout his three seasons with the organization, but has bounced around MLB since his departure.

Kimbrel spent the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros. He also had a brief stint with the Texas Rangers in 2025, but never pitched in a big-league game for them. He latched on with Houston after being released by Texas.

In 14 appearances last season, Kimbrel had a 2.25 ERA and had 17 strikeouts in 12 innings.

More Red Sox coverage

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• How Red Sox plan to get Ranger Suárez (8.64 ERA) back on track: ‘He needs to execute’
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