With his infant daughter's condition improving following heart surgery, Craig Kimbrel rejoined the Boston Red Sox on Monday, threw live batting practice and declared he will be ready for Opening Day next week.
"There's no denying it's been the toughest thing we've ever been through," Kimbrel said in a press conference at the team's spring-training facility. "In the last week, her recovery has been unbelievable, and she's showing great signs."
Kimbrel's daughter, Lydia Joy, was born in November with a heart condition. Three weeks ago, the All-Star closer left the Red Sox with the team's permission to be with Lydia for the second of three surgeries at Boston Children's Hospital.