Naturally, the players that left in free agency receive the majority of the focus when fans consider the Atlanta Braves’ offseason departures. Important members of the Braves’ rotation who will be wearing different uniforms in 2025 were Charlie Morton and, in particular, former ace Max Fried. The signing of AJ Minter by the Mets is a huge loss for the bullpen. Few, though, have given Joe Jimenez’s injury the consideration it merits.
Raisel Iglesias is still available for the close situations for Atlanta, but losing Jimenez, their main setup man, is a huge blow that the organization was unable to handle in the summer. While the team clearly knew something was ailing Jimenez, few expected the news that he needed knee surgery that threatened to cost him the entire 2025 season.
By the time spring training rolls around this year, Jimenez’s situation has somewhat improved. Although it is unlikely that Jimenez would make a comeback in the first half, it does seem possible that he will make a comeback in the second half.
Joe Jimenez’s recovery from knee surgery is going well, could return in 2025
Jimenez’s position actually has a fairly simple explanation. Immediately following the season, he had surgery to correct cartilage damage in his left knee, with an eight- to 12-month recovery period. He will miss the entire 2025 season if it takes him a full year to recover. He might be throwing out of the Braves’ bullpen for the majority of the second half of the season if he remains on course and can return to the mound in the eight to nine month timeframe.
Jimenez’s ability to persevere through the injury in the first place suggests that he may return sooner rather than later, but it is still too early to make any firm predictions about when he will be ready. Jimenez responded, “Obviously it’s a long process, but I come here every day to work and try to do everything that I can just to make it right now,” when asked about his recuperation during spring training. Of course, I’m hoping to pitch this year. We’re not sure yet. I’m currently concentrating on my rehabilitation every day to see how things work out.
Not acquiring an impact bullpen this offseason might wind up working out OK, assuming Jimenez doesn’t suffer any setbacks—something that shouldn’t be taken for granted seeing how 2024 went for the Braves. Atlanta will likely be quite active during the trade deadline in an attempt to strengthen their bullpen if things go south.
