Report: Matt Kemp Signs Minor League Contract with Mets After Release from Reds

The New York Mets reportedly signed outfielder Matt Kemp to a minor league contract Friday.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the update after Kemp was released by the Cincinnati Reds in early May.

The 34-year-old three-time All-Star selection posted a .200/.210/.283 slash line with one home run across 20 appearances before getting let go by the Reds.

Cincy acquired him in a December trade following a strong bounce-back season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018. He compiled a .819 OPS with 21 homers in 146 games for L.A.

Kemp had seen his on-base percentage drop across stints with the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves after leaving the Dodgers for the first time ahead of the 2015 season.

Although the veteran outfielder has enjoyed a majority of his success with Los Angeles, he refused to lament his offseason move to Cincinnati.

"It's a business. I can't be disappointed," Kemp told reporters in March. "I've still got a jersey on. I'm just happy to be playing baseball."

He struggled with the Reds, however, and landed on the injured list in late April with a broken rib.

Kemp will now attempt to earn a role with a Mets club that features four outfielders on the IL: Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil.

He'll likely start with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets in what will be a combination of rehab from his rib injury and a proving ground after signing a minor league deal. He could be called up to provide depth at the corner outfield spot if he shines in Syracuse.