As the New York Mets prepare for the 2026 season, securing a dependable bullpen remains central to their goal of contending for a World Series title. To bolster their relief pitching, the Mets have brought in veteran closer Craig Kimbrel on a minor-league contract with a Spring Training invitation. At 37 years old, Kimbrel no longer possesses the blazing fastball that defined his peak, but Mets manager Carlos Mendoza observed some promising elements in his recent performance.
During a Spring Training outing on Saturday, Mendoza highlighted that Kimbrel’s fastball showed velocity in the low 90s, accompanied by effective movement on his breaking pitches. This level of sharpness was a hopeful indication of Kimbrel’s ability to contribute to the Mets’ bullpen in the near future.
Evaluating Kimbrel’s Current Pitching Arsenal in Relation to Mets’ Needs
Despite a decline in his four-seam fastball’s speed over recent years, Kimbrel’s pitch repertoire—especially his curveball and slider—remains a formidable challenge for MLB hitters. While his reduced velocity has made his fastball more predictable, his secondary pitches continue to generate swings and misses. Over the past three seasons, Kimbrel has maintained an impressive strikeout rate of approximately 12 batters per nine innings, underlining his enduring effectiveness.
The Mets see potential in refining Kimbrel’s command and pitch location to harness his remaining strengths. If he can demonstrate consistent improvement during Spring Training, there is a reasonable chance he could secure a spot on the team’s Opening Day roster as a reliable late-inning option out of the bullpen.
Implications for the Mets’ Bullpen and 2026 Outlook
The addition of Kimbrel represents a low-risk, high-reward move for the Mets, who understand the critical role a strong bullpen plays in postseason success. While there are no guarantees of Kimbrel making the final roster, positive signs early in the spring provide hope that he might still serve as a valuable reliever. Should he regain form, Kimbrel could help stabilize the Mets’ relief corps as they aim to build momentum toward a championship run.
"We saw some 92-93, life on the fastball, shape on the breaking balls"
Carlos Mendoza talks about what he saw from Craig Kimbrel today: pic.twitter.com/ASjzziwJnY
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 28, 2026
