With his daughter on the mend, Craig Kimbrel goes back to work for Sox

FORT MYERS, Fla. – When Craig Kimbrel was traded from the San Diego Padres in November of 2015, he knew it would mean change his baseball career.

What he could never have anticipated, of course, was how the move might also one day save his daughter’s life.

“God gave me this ability to play baseball,’’ said Kimbrel, “and if it wasn’t for the game of baseball, we wouldn’t be in Boston and having this care.’’

By “this care,’’ Kimbrel was referring to the two life-saving surgeries that his 4-and-a-half month daughter, Lydia, has undergone, the most recent only a few weeks ago. Lydia has been treated at Boston Children’s Hospital, known for its expertise in dealing with cases like hers.

“Me and my wife talk about it all the time,’’ Kimbrel said. “We’re very strong in our faith and we believe everything in life happens for a reason. Even if we don’t understand it at the time, there’s a lesson to be learned and something to be shared with everything we go through in life.’’

Having just spent nearly three weeks back in Boston with his actual family, it was time for Kimbrel to rejoin and reacquaint himself with his second family Monday.

“This is my family as well,’’ he said, singling out of the organization for its support and patience, along with his teammates’ decision to make T-shirts with the motto Lydia Strong. "We spend more time with each other than we do our own families. We’re going to be going through this the entire year, so having their support and having them behind me, and to get together and do something like that, it was great.’’

Lydia is recovering in the hospital and the Kimbrels hope she can go home “in a couple of weeks.’’

‘’There’s no denying it’s been the toughest thing we’ve ever been through,’’ said Kimbrel. “It’s been tough. I can say that. ... But I think, with every hard thing you go through in life, there’s something to be learned from it. We’re definitely going to try to make us better. We love that girl more than anything.’’

Kimbrel visited the hospital daily, and took turns with his wife, Ashley, sleeping in the same room with his daughter. For two hours or so each day, he would find refuge in a workout or a bullpen session, throwing at nearby Babson College under the supervision of Babson baseball coach Matt Noone, who also serves as a batting practice pitcher for the Sox during the season.

For Kimbrel, baseball acted as a temporary escape, and as committed as he is to it, the last few months have sharpened his perspective.

“It’s definitely a job,’’ he said. “My family comes first, and then baseball comes. Those steps away for a few hours were definitely a release. It did help to get in the weight room. It did help to throw the ball.’’

Kimbrel threw a live batting practice session Monday morning on a back field at Fenway South and expects to see some game action later this week. The regular season opener is now just 10 days away, but Kimbrel fully expects to be ready.

“I’ve been throwing a lot indoors,’’ he said. “But getting on a mound and getting my feet in that nice clay is definitely something I’m going to do in the next week.’’

Beyond the physical readiness, it’s normal to wonder about his ability to concentrate on baseball with his daughter occupying his thoughts.

The question was a simple one, direct and to the point.

“Do you have any concerns about your ability to focus on baseball, given all that you’re dealing with?’’

“None,’’ answered  Kimbrel, as definitively as he could.

He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t elaborate. He only responded.

None.