Kimbrel cleared waivers Thursday and elected to become a free agent, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kimbrel passed through waivers unclaimed after being booted off the Rays' 40-man roster, but he'll become a free agent rather than accept an outright assignment. The veteran reliever holds a 4.81 ERA and 32:16 K:BB over 33.2 innings in the majors this season, and it seems likely he'd have to take a minor-league contract if he wants to continue pitching in 2026r.