ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays designated veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment after a 9-1 loss to the White Sox at Tropicana Field, parting ways with one of the most decorated closers in Major League history just weeks after signing him.

“Tough conversation. Respect the heck out of him – the player, the career and, getting to know him, respect the person a lot. Wish him well,” manager Kevin Cash said Monday afternoon at Coors Field in Denver, where the Rays opened a new series.

“Hopefully he lands on a spot. It just didn’t work out with the timing for us, but certainly, you can see why he’s been such an elite pitcher and was an elite teammate while he was here,” Cash said.

The 38-year-old right-hander posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks in 18 2/3 innings over 19 appearances for Tampa Bay. The Rays had signed Kimbrel as a free agent on May 26 after the Mets designated him for assignment and he cleared waivers. His 440 career saves rank fifth all-time, and the nine-time All-Star owns a 2.67 career ERA with 1,314 strikeouts in 884 appearances. His trophy case includes the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award, the 2014 Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award, the 2017 Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award and a 2018 World Series ring.

To make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Peralta, the Rays transferred outfielder Jake Fraley to the 60-day injured list with a hernia. Kimbrel’s departure cleared a spot on the 26-man roster. Tampa Bay also optioned right-hander Alex Cook to Triple-A Durham, opening another roster spot for a potential addition ahead of the Denver series.

The Rays’ bullpen remains stocked without Kimbrel. Major League saves leader Bryan Baker anchors the back end alongside setup men Kevin Kelly and Garrett Cleavinger and newly acquired Tyler Wells. Middle-inning arms Cam Booser and Casey Legumina have carved out key roles despite not starting the season in the bullpen.

Right-hander Cole Sulser is expected to return from the injured list with a back injury relatively soon, and right-hander Manuel Rodríguez is progressing well on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham. The Rays are also evaluating pitching prospect Ty Johnson, ranked the club’s No. 10 prospect, in Durham’s bullpen as a potential late-season option.