Carlos Mendoza doesn't close door on potential return to Mets for recently DFA'd Craig Kimbrel

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.