As the offseason kicks off, the Atlanta Braves are already facing a roster adjustment. Per Justin Toscano of the *Atlanta Journal-Constitution*, Joe Jiménez, a key setup reliever for the Braves, recently underwent surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage damage. This procedure could sideline him for up to a year, potentially impacting the bullpen significantly next season.
This is yet another unexpected blow to the Braves’ 2024 season, which has seen its share of disappointments for fans. The 29-year-old Jiménez had reportedly dealt with discomfort throughout the season, but neither he nor the team fully understood the injury’s severity until it was revealed during surgery.
Jiménez was a reliable presence in the Braves’ strong bullpen this season, pitching 68.2 innings with an impressive 2.62 ERA. According to fWAR, he was the team’s top reliever, concluding the season with a 1.8 WAR.
How Joe Jiménez’s injury changes the Atlanta Braves offseason plans
As the offseason begins, the Braves are facing the potential loss of A.J. Minter and Jesse Chavez to free agency, while also having to make decisions regarding club options for Aaron Bummer and Luke Jackson.
Instead of exercising Aaron Bummer’s two club options for 2025 and 2026, the Braves restructured his contract, signing him to a two-year deal on Saturday. Meanwhile, they declined their option on Luke Jackson.
With the departures of A.J. Minter and Jesse Chavez from the roster, the Braves had at least two bullpen spots to fill. However, the back end of the bullpen still appeared strong, featuring Pierce Johnson, Joe Jiménez, and Raisel Iglesias, all under contract for the upcoming season.
However, with Jiménez’s injury, Alex Anthopoulos may need to pursue a free-agent reliever or consider re-signing Minter to bolster the bullpen. Several former relievers available on the market this year include Chris Martin, Kenley Jansen, and Kirby Yates.
Internally, Dylan Lee and Bummer might rise in the bullpen hierarchy, while Anthopoulos could opt to search for a budget-friendly reliever to reinforce the bullpen.
The Braves have already executed several transactions, including trading former World Series MVP Jorge Soler. Given Jiménez’s injury, it wouldn’t be surprising to witness a wave of activity from Alex Anthopoulos in the near future.
