PORT ST. LUCIE — In a bullpen that’s been overhauled since last year, with former closer Edwin Díaz now a Dodger, replaced by Devin Williams following a rough season in The Bronx, among the most intriguing members is Craig Kimbrel.
Only four pitchers have recorded more career 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 any saves and was released twice before he finished 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 a pair of batters in a 3-2 loss to Washington at Clover Park.
At this point of Kimbrel’s career, though, he’s not overly concerned about the numbers — although he was bothered by the two free passes.
Earlier in the week, Kimbrel said his body felt good and he was working his way back into form, and following Saturday’s appearance, Carlos Mendoza was encouraged by some of the veteran’s stuff.
There was increased velocity on his fastball and Kimbrel said he’s trying to integrate a cutter into his arsenal “to get guys off my fastball and open up some offspeed opportunities.”
“It was good to go out there and compete and get on track to where I want to be,’’ Kimbrel said.
The Mets could have a spot for Kimbrel in the pen if he proves that he’s still capable of getting batters out and the team values his presence in camp, but he turns 38 in May and will have to earn a spot.
Mendoza said Saturday that Luis Robert Jr. is scheduled to play his first game of the spring 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 in the offseason for a package that included Luisangel Acuña — healthy after Robert battled lower-body injuries during the previous two seasons.
He’s been getting at-bats, but the team has held off on putting Robert in game situations.
Mendoza said Francisco Lindor has not yet progressed to impact activities — like catching a ball — after getting the stitches out of his surgically repaired left hand following the stress fracture in his hamate bone.
“He’s getting a lot of exercise and [building] strength in that area,’’ Mendoza said of the shortstop who advanced to long toss and one-handed swings Friday. “He’s continuing to get stronger before we start impact drills.”
Grae Kessinger, in camp as shortstop depth, was scheduled to get an MRI on Saturday after injuring his left knee in Friday’s game against the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., was on crutches in the clubhouse Saturday.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
