PORT ST. LUCIE — Craig Kimbrel’s former baby face is half-covered by his reddish beard, a symbol of his burning desire to keep playing this game, to “keep getting outs,” as he puts it.
His arm, a gift from the gods, after 851 games and 16 seasons has lost some ticks on his once all-world fastball. But he’s evolving, and he will keep evolving until someone rips that uniform off him.
Kimbrel, two months shy of 38, is working as hard as anyone in Mets camp, trying anything to make the team, his goal the past couple of years after a decade and a half of utter domination in a star closer’s role. That’s far from a given in this camp where he’s on a non-roster contract, they have five relievers on big league deals, and the club might even begin the season with six starters. There are only a couple open spots, and he’s desperately hoping to grab one.
The days of blowing batters away with over 100-mph heat to build his 440-save résumé are gone. But Kimbrel is endeavoring to boost a four-seam fastball that averaged 92 in his scoreless frame Thursday against the Marlins and, just as vitally, refine a repertoire that includes slider, curveball and nascent cutter.
