Rays add some experienced help to bullpen in signing Craig Kimbrel

BALTIMORE - Needing some help, and welcoming the experience, the Rays added one of the game's most accomplished relievers on Tuesday in signing Craig Kimbrel.

The 17-year veteran, who turns 38 on Thursday, has 440 career saves, ranking second among active pitchers (behind Kenley Jansen's 483) and fifth most all time.

Kimbrel most recently was with the Mets, becoming a free agent after declining to go to the minors and being designated for assignment. In 14 appearances this season, he had a 6.00 ERA, allowing 12 runs (10 earned), 16 hits (including three homers) and six walks over 15 innings.

"(We're) pretty excited," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "We've seen him compete against us, and he certainly has had a lot of success against us in the past.

"But to bring a guy with his experience, his knowledge, his reps, I think it's only going to add to our overall group. We think he's done some things pretty well this year. (We) like the way his stuff is coming out of his hand."

The initial reviews were good. Kimbrel, in his first outing since May 20, allowed one hit and struck out two while working the eighth inning of a 6-1 loss to the Orioles. He averaged 94.3 mph with his fastball, throwing 10 of his 15 pitches for strikes.

"That was pretty cool," Cash said. "Stuff looked really good. Came in, filled up the strike zone. I think he could definitely help us."

Kimbrel said before the game he welcomed the chance to join the Rays, knowing their reputation for improving pitchers.

"I couldn't be happier to be here," he said. "It's an amazing opportunity, and I'm going to try to make the best of it."

Kimbrel said he explored opportunities with other teams and had several reasons for joining the Rays.

"They're playing well," he said. "It's a job opportunity. Some of the analytical things they do here - pitch-shaping and just understanding how to get guys to swing and miss - is really good.

"So, to get the opportunity to come here and kind of pick the guys' brains, and then seeing what they have to offer me - which they've already said they have some things for me - so I'm excited to go through that and see what it brings."

The Rays have had interest in Kimbrel for a while, making a strong run to sign him in June 2019 before he took a slightly better three-year, $43 million offer from the Cubs.

Kimbrel was a dominant reliever early in his career for Atlanta, posting 185 saves from 2011-14. He has adjusted and adapted his style, repertoire and role over his career, though he had 23 saves for Baltimore as recently as 2024.

Cash said Kimbrel would work into the bullpen mix with no predetermined role.

Kimbrel, saying he was still driven by his passion for the game, is confident he can help.

"Absolutely," he said. "Extremely confident. "I've had some rough ones this year, but I've had some really good ones as well. So, hopefully I can put the rough ones behind me and just go on a good roll."

Current Rays closer Bryan Baker was Orioles teammates with Kimbrel for part of that 2024 season and raved about the experience, referring to him as "a legend."

"I had such a good time playing with him over here in Baltimore for that short little stint, and just kind of getting to be around him again, it's going to be really fun," Baker said. "I think he'll fit in well with this group."

Kimbrel, who was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2011, is a nine-time All-Star. The Rays will be his 11th major-league team and 12th organization.

Medical matters: Scholtens, Walls, Cleavinger

Right-hander Jesse Scholtens, who gave up a walkoff homer to the Orioles' Colton Cowser in Monday's 9-7 loss, was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right wrist strain, opening a spot for Kimbrel.

Cash said Scholtens first reported discomfort over the weekend and "definitely felt it" Monday. He was sent home Tuesday to see team hand specialist Dr. Doug Carlan, but Cash said the Rays were "not overly concerned."

Shortstop Taylor Walls was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to left hamstring tightness that he had been managing for the last week. "We're not in a position that we want to push it with him right now," Cash said. "We know how important he is to our club. And we'll just go day to day."

Left-hander Garrett Cleavinger said he was fine physically despite not pitching since May 17, then showed it in Tuesday's game, setting down six straight Orioles, including three on strikeouts.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 1:46 PM.