SAN ANTONIO – In early October, the Braves’ 2024 season ended in an unceremonious way. The organization and its fans have since moved on after a disappointing year that included horrific injury luck.
Unfortunately, the remnants of this bad juju will seep into 2025.
On Oct. 29, righthander Joe Jiménez underwent surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. He will be sidelined for eight to 12 months.
Dr. Brian Cole performed the operation in Chicago.
Jiménez injured his knee during the season. He was re-evaluated in the offseason. No one knew the extent of the damage until Cole performed surgery.
If Jiménez were to return closer to eight months, he would be back in late June or early July. If he misses a full 12 months, then he would likely be out all of 2025, pending a postseason run.
Either way, the surgery rehab will keep Jiménez out for a sizable chunk of the season. And that doesn’t include the time it will take for him to complete a throwing progression and rehab assignment before returning to a major-league mound.
In 2024, Jiménez was one of Atlanta’s top relievers. He posted a 2.62 ERA over 68 2/3. He struck out 82 batters and walked 23 as he continued validating the Braves’ faith in him.
Last offseason, the Braves re-signed Jiménez -- acquired in a Dec. 2022 trade with Detroit -- to a three-year, $26 million deal to keep him in Atlanta.
With A.J. Minter potentially departing in free agency, Jiménez was set to be Atlanta’s primary setup man in 2025. Now, barring any additions, that role might go to Pierce Johnson. The Braves will have Johnson, closer Raisel Iglesias, Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer from last year’s bullpen. Grant Holmes could once again be the long man. Daysbel Hernández might have an opportunity to break camp with the big-league team.
But Jiménez’s injury may force the Braves to add to their bullpen if Atlanta feels it needs to strengthen the unit so it holds up with Jiménez sidelined. In recent days, Braves president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos has created added payroll flexibility as he begins diving into the offseason.
On Monday, the Braves exercised their $16 million option on Marcell Ozuna, but declined their $8 million option on Travis d’Arnaud and their $7 million option on Luke Jackson. On the first day of the offseason, they dealt Jorge Soler, which rid them of the $26 million they owed him over the next two seasons. Two days after that, they signed Aaron Bummer to a new two-year deal and reworked Reynaldo López’s contracts – two moves that helped the Braves shave a bit more money off their projected 2025 cash payroll.
So, the Braves have the financial ability to add to their bullpen if they so choose. It won’t be easy to replace Jiménez for however long he’s out, but they can fortify the rest of the group.
Jiménez’s injury is a tough blow to the 2025 Braves, and it came months before they reported to spring training.
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