Craig Kimbrel to Rays on MLB contract: Will nine-time All-Star get save chances?

Craig Kimbrel wasn't out of work for long, and he even got a nice boost in the standings.

Kimbrel, 37, signed a major league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, May 26, The Athletic first reported, just four days after the New York Mets designated him for assignment. Ranked fifth on the all-time saves list, Kimbrel posted a 6.00 ERA in 14 appearances for the Mets and did not earn a save.

But ninth-inning chances might be more plentiful with Tampa Bay, and the Rays are in first place in the American League East, and not the cellar of the National League East. Tampa Bay has mixed and matched with veteran right-hander Bryan Baker recording 14 saves, but lefty Ian Seymour and a half-dozen others have saved games.

The Rays could use the immediate help - they played 13 innings on Monday in losing 7-5 to the Baltimore Orioles.

Kimbrel's 440 career saves are second among active players, trailing Detroit's Kenley Jansen, who has saved 483 games.

MLB all-time saves list

(Through Monday, May 25)

1. Mariano Rivera – 652 saves
2. Trevor Hoffman – 601 saves
3. Kenley Jansen – 483 saves (active)
4. Lee Smith – 478 saves
5. Craig Kimbrel – 440 saves
6. Francisco Rodríguez – 437 saves
7. John Franco – 424 saves
8. Billy Wagner – 422 saves
9. Dennis Eckersley – 390 saves
10. Aroldis Chapman – 379 saves (active)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Craig Kimbrel contract with Rays could impact Hall of Fame stats