Craig Kimbrel is attempting a return to Major League Baseball, having signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets over the recent weekend. The veteran pitcher, who will be 38 years old this May, is aiming to extend his career into a 17th MLB season. This potential comeback highlights Kimbrel’s resilience after a tumultuous stint with the Chicago Cubs and several other organizations.
Kimbrel’s time with the Cubs from 2019 to 2021 was marked by inconsistency and struggles, especially in his first two seasons. Despite his early difficulties—making 41 appearances with a 6.29 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and 1.528 WHIP, and particularly struggling with giving up home runs—he showed flashes of his old elite form in his final campaign with Chicago. Recently, he regained some dominance pitching late last year for the Houston Astros, striking out 16 batters in 11 innings. If Kimbrel makes the Mets’ major league roster, it would represent his tenth MLB organization, adding to his stints with the Braves, Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Orioles, Padres, White Sox, and Astros.
Yu Darvish Addresses Retirement Speculation Amid Injury Recovery
Meanwhile, Yu Darvish, another former Cubs pitcher, has been at the center of retirement rumors after Padres reporter Kevin Acee suggested the right-hander was planning to retire. Darvish, who will turn 40 this August, has not confirmed retirement and recently denied these reports in a public statement. His future remains uncertain as he continues to recuperate from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow.
Darvish’s early days with the Cubs were challenging, with just eight starts before a season-ending injury landed him on the Injured List. Still, once healthy, he secured a place as one of the league’s top pitchers, finishing as the National League Cy Young runner-up during the shortened 2020 season. That same offseason, the Cubs traded Darvish to the Padres, a salary move that brought prospect Owen Caissie to Chicago. Caissie was later included in a trade to Miami involving Edward Cabrera, showing that Darvish’s impact on the Cubs organization continues to ripple through trades and player development even beyond his tenure.
Impact on the Cubs and MLB Landscape
Both Kimbrel and Darvish began their Cubs tenures with rocky starts but evolved into significant figures in their careers. Kimbrel’s attempt at an MLB resurgence with the Mets could add another chapter to his long and varied career, testing whether he can recapture the form that made him a multiple-time All-Star and one of the top closers of his generation.
Darvish’s potential retirement marks the closing of an era for a player who has made a global mark, from his debut years in Japan to his long-lasting career in MLB. His health and decisions in the upcoming months will determine if he adds more innings to a career spanning over twenty years.
The developments surrounding Kimbrel’s comeback and Darvish’s future also reflect the physical and mental demands faced by pitchers as they approach the twilight of their careers. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Kimbrel can contribute again at the highest level and whether Darvish will conclude his journey on the mound or seek another opportunity in baseball.
Seiya Suzuki and the World Baseball Classic Boost the Upcoming Season
As baseball fans await the start of spring training, excitement is growing with the World Baseball Classic, which will feature several Chicago Cubs players, including outfielder Seiya Suzuki. After missing the 2023 WBC due to an oblique injury, Suzuki’s return to Team Japan is eagerly anticipated.
Suzuki finished last season with career-high numbers, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 103 runs across 151 games. Maintaining his health will be a critical focus in 2026 as he resumes a full-time role in the outfield, having spent significant time as the Cubs’ designated hitter last year.
With the WBC adding competitive intensity to the preseason, the upcoming MLB season looks poised to offer plenty of storylines involving emerging talents like Suzuki and established names such as Kimbrel and Darvish.
After missing the 2023 WBC, Seiya Suzuki will play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/Zyc7CL8tuy
— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) January 26, 2026
