Mets Inform Craig Kimbrel of Opening Day Fate

Legendary closer won't make Mets' roster to start 2026 season

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:04pm

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The New York Mets have informed veteran relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel that he will not make their Opening Day roster for the 2026 season. Kimbrel, a nine-time All-Star and World Series champion, was signed to a minor league deal with the Mets but struggled in spring training, posting a 4.50 ERA and 5/5 K/BB ratio in six appearances.

Why it matters

Kimbrel is a future Hall of Famer who has amassed 440 career saves, but at this stage of his career, he may be unwilling to wait in the minor leagues for an opportunity with the Mets. The decision highlights the Mets' bullpen depth and their willingness to make tough roster decisions, even with an accomplished veteran like Kimbrel.

The details

The Mets informed Kimbrel that he will not make their Opening Day roster, despite his impressive career accomplishments. Kimbrel struggled in spring training, allowing three earned runs in six innings with more walks than strikeouts. The Mets decided to go with other options in their bullpen to start the season.

  • The Mets informed Kimbrel of their decision on March 22, 2026.

The players

Craig Kimbrel

A nine-time MLB All-Star and World Series champion relief pitcher who has recorded 440 career saves over 16 seasons.

New York Mets

A professional baseball team based in New York City that competes in Major League Baseball's National League East division.

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What’s next

The Mets will continue to evaluate their bullpen options as the season approaches, and Kimbrel will need to decide whether to accept an assignment to the minor leagues or explore opportunities with other teams.

The takeaway

This decision by the Mets highlights the difficult roster decisions teams must make, even with accomplished veterans like Kimbrel. It remains to be seen whether Kimbrel will accept a minor league assignment or seek opportunities elsewhere, but the Mets have made it clear they are moving forward with other options to start the 2026 season.