Craig Kimbrel Becomes a Free Agent After Designation by Rays

Craig Kimbrel, a right-handed pitcher, has chosen to enter free agency after being designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays. This decision follows his clearance of waivers, as reported by Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times.

At 38 years old, Kimbrel ranks fifth on the all-time saves list, but his recent performance has seen a decline. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, he has recorded a 4.78 earned run average over 98 major league innings. He began the current season with the Mets on a minor league contract, joining their roster in April before being designated for assignment six weeks later. After his time with the Mets, he moved to the Rays.

During his time with both teams, Kimbrel pitched a total of 33 2/3 innings, achieving a 4.81 ERA and a walk rate of 11.1%. While he has historically been known for his strikeout ability, his current strikeout rate has dropped to 22.2%. As he enters the free agency market, Kimbrel will be exploring potential opportunities with teams looking to enhance their rosters.