Just days into the 2024 MLB offseason, the Atlanta Braves have lost one of their top relievers.
Setup reliever Joe Jimenez underwent surgery to repair cartilage in his left knee on Oct. 29 and will require eight to 12 months to recover, .
with another big injury setback even in offseason: setup man Joe Jiménez had surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee Oct. 29 and will miss 8-12 months, meaning at least a large portion of the 2025 season.
Jimenez, 30, was one of the Braves’ best relievers this past season, compiling a 2.62 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings. He was also the team’s backup closer when (1.95 ERA, 68 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings) wasn’t available and saved seven games.
Atlanta acquired Jimenez from the Detroit Tigers in December 2022 and subsequently signed him to after he posted a 3.04 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings in 2023. He has $18 million remaining on the final two years of that deal, but now might not even be available to pitch in 2025.
The injury to Jimenez creates an offseason need for a reliever, which might explain why and the remaining $26 million on his contract to the Los Angeles Angels last week. The Braves also declined the $8 million option for catcher on Monday.
With (3.67 ERA, 67 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings) as the bullpen’s other top right-hander behind Iglesias, the Braves could look to (2.11, 76 Ks, 59 2/3 innings), (3.56, 70 Ks, 68 1/3 innings) and (2.50, 26 Ks, 18 innings) as internal options to take Jimenez’s place.
If the Braves try to replace Jimenez through free agency, some of the top right-handed relievers available include:
Former closers (3.79, 98 Ks in 61 2/3 innings) and (3.29, 62 Ks in 54 2/3 innings) could also be options for general manager Alex Anthopoulos to consider.