Mickey the Mouth
The Syndicate News Wire
- May 21, 2026
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With the news of Jonah Tong’s promotion to the Mets on Friday came the decision to designate veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment.
Kimbrel did not make the Opening Day roster, but the right-hander had been with the team for more than a month since he got called up on April 11.
In 14 appearances for New York, Kimbrel pitched to a 6.00 ERA (1.47 WHIP), but aside from two poor outings against the Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies in which he allowed three runs and four runs, respectively, Kimbrel pitched well for the Mets. In fact, the 37-year-old didn't allow an earned run in 10 of his 14 appearances, often pitching in the middle to later innings of close games.
Kimbrel's last outing on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals was the longest of his Hall of Fame career when he pitched 2.2 innings to help save New York's overworked bullpen. Unfortunately for Kimbrel, he faltered in that final inning and gave up a two-run home run that put Washington out of reach for good in that game.
Still, manager Carlos Mendoza has nothing but respect for the former closer for his willingness to pitch in any role that was asked of him this season.
"Super tough," Mendoza said when asked how hard it was to break the news to Kimbrel. "But that’s what makes him who he is. Not only what he’s been able to do on the field, but off the field – the person, the human. He understood, he was very professional, but it wasn’t an easy one for me and David [Stearns] when we talked to him last night.
"But again, such a pro. We appreciate [him], nothing but respect, wishing him the best. [We'll] see what happens here as he goes through waivers and we’ll go from there, but it wasn’t an easy one there."
Mendoza didn't close the door on the possibility of Kimbrel coming back to New York and is even hoping he clears waivers so he can maintain in the organization. However, the skipper is aware of the very real possibility that that may not happen, given Kimbrel's experience and track record.
"We like being selfish here, we like to keep him around, but also understanding that there might be some options for him out there, especially with the way he’s been throwing the ball as of late," Mendoza said. "What he was able to do for us the other day, going three ups -- something that he’s never done throughout his career -- and he felt good, bounced back well."
Once an elite closer for the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox, with spurts for the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros, Kimbrel has been in the league for 17 seasons and owns a 2.65 ERA with 440 saves.
He was able to impart his knowledge and wisdom to his teammates in New York starting all the way in the spring when the Mets signed him to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.
"Just how he goes about his business, understanding situations, his ability to pose just that mentality overall," Mendoza said. "From the very first day in spring training he had a huge impact on the guys here."
Now that Tong is back in the majors, the question is how will the Mets utilize their young pitcher.
The answer, at least for now, appears to be out of the bullpen.
"He’s, as of right now, part of the bullpen," Mendoza said. "Could be a long reliever, depends on how the game goes but yeah for today, tomorrow he’s part of the bullpen."
Tong will likely see game action on Friday when New York begins a three-game series with the Miami Marlins because Tobias Myers is getting the start (in what was normally Clay Holmes' spot in the rotation), but is capped at around 35-40 pitches.
Speaking of Myers, who has been excellent for the Mets (3.41 ERA) in various roles out of the bullpen this season, the right-hander will not be stretched out into a full-time starter -- something he has experience doing in his career.
"I don’t think this is gonna be one where we try to stretch him out," Mendoza said. "He’s been huge for us in the bullpen and he’ll continue to be a big part back there. So just happen to be today that we’re giving him the start, but I don’t anticipate trying to stretch him out."
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Kimbrel did not make the Opening Day roster, but the right-hander had been with the team for more than a month since he got called up on April 11.
In 14 appearances for New York, Kimbrel pitched to a 6.00 ERA (1.47 WHIP), but aside from two poor outings against the Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies in which he allowed three runs and four runs, respectively, Kimbrel pitched well for the Mets. In fact, the 37-year-old didn't allow an earned run in 10 of his 14 appearances, often pitching in the middle to later innings of close games.
Kimbrel's last outing on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals was the longest of his Hall of Fame career when he pitched 2.2 innings to help save New York's overworked bullpen. Unfortunately for Kimbrel, he faltered in that final inning and gave up a two-run home run that put Washington out of reach for good in that game.
Still, manager Carlos Mendoza has nothing but respect for the former closer for his willingness to pitch in any role that was asked of him this season.
"Super tough," Mendoza said when asked how hard it was to break the news to Kimbrel. "But that’s what makes him who he is. Not only what he’s been able to do on the field, but off the field – the person, the human. He understood, he was very professional, but it wasn’t an easy one for me and David [Stearns] when we talked to him last night.
"But again, such a pro. We appreciate [him], nothing but respect, wishing him the best. [We'll] see what happens here as he goes through waivers and we’ll go from there, but it wasn’t an easy one there."
Mendoza didn't close the door on the possibility of Kimbrel coming back to New York and is even hoping he clears waivers so he can maintain in the organization. However, the skipper is aware of the very real possibility that that may not happen, given Kimbrel's experience and track record.
"We like being selfish here, we like to keep him around, but also understanding that there might be some options for him out there, especially with the way he’s been throwing the ball as of late," Mendoza said. "What he was able to do for us the other day, going three ups -- something that he’s never done throughout his career -- and he felt good, bounced back well."
Once an elite closer for the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox, with spurts for the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros, Kimbrel has been in the league for 17 seasons and owns a 2.65 ERA with 440 saves.
He was able to impart his knowledge and wisdom to his teammates in New York starting all the way in the spring when the Mets signed him to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.
"Just how he goes about his business, understanding situations, his ability to pose just that mentality overall," Mendoza said. "From the very first day in spring training he had a huge impact on the guys here."
Burst into Tong
Now that Tong is back in the majors, the question is how will the Mets utilize their young pitcher.
The answer, at least for now, appears to be out of the bullpen.
"He’s, as of right now, part of the bullpen," Mendoza said. "Could be a long reliever, depends on how the game goes but yeah for today, tomorrow he’s part of the bullpen."
Tong will likely see game action on Friday when New York begins a three-game series with the Miami Marlins because Tobias Myers is getting the start (in what was normally Clay Holmes' spot in the rotation), but is capped at around 35-40 pitches.
Speaking of Myers, who has been excellent for the Mets (3.41 ERA) in various roles out of the bullpen this season, the right-hander will not be stretched out into a full-time starter -- something he has experience doing in his career.
"I don’t think this is gonna be one where we try to stretch him out," Mendoza said. "He’s been huge for us in the bullpen and he’ll continue to be a big part back there. So just happen to be today that we’re giving him the start, but I don’t anticipate trying to stretch him out."
Continue reading...