PORT ST. LUCIE – In a bullpen that has been remodeled since last year, with Edwin Díaz now a Dodger closer, he was replaced by Devin Williams following a difficult season in The Bronx, among the most interesting members is Craig Kimbrel.
Only four pitchers have recorded more saves than the right-hander who turns 38 in May and is still looking to contribute.
Kimbrel is coming off a season in which he did not record a snap and was released twice before finishing the year with Houston.
He made his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday and had mixed results in his one inning, as Kimbrel gave up a run and walked two batters in a 3-2 loss to Washington at Clover Park.
At this point in Kimbrel’s career, he’s not overly concerned with numbers — though he is troubled by two free passes.
Earlier in the week, Kimbrel said his body feels good and he’s working his way back to form, and following Saturday’s performance, Carlos Mendoza was encouraged by some of the veteran’s qualities.
There’s been velocity on his fastball and Kimbrel said he’s trying to incorporate a cutter into his arsenal “to get guys off my fastball and open up unnecessary opportunities.”
“It was good to come out and compete and get where I want to be,” Kimbrel said.
The Mets could have a spot for Kimbrel in the bullpen if he shows he can still get hitters out and the team appreciates his presence in camp, but he turns 38 in May and will have to find a spot.
Mendoza said on Saturday that Luis Robert Jr. is scheduled to make his spring debut on Wednesday, adding that it will be on the minor league side as the team looks to keep the center fielder — acquired from the White Sox this offseason in a package that included Luisangel Acuña — healthy after Robert battled lower back injuries the past two seasons.
He kept getting at-bats, but the team stopped putting Robert in game situations.
Mendoza said Francisco Lindor hasn’t improved on touch functions — such as catching the ball — after having stitches removed from his surgically repaired left hand following a broken hamate bone.
“He’s working out a lot too [building] strength in that area,” Mendoza said of the shortstop who excelled at swinging long toss and swinging one-handed on Friday. “He continues to get stronger before we start impact drills.”
Camp shortstop Grae Kessinger, scheduled to undergo an MRI Saturday after injuring his left knee in Friday’s game against the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., was on crutches in the clubhouse on Saturday.
