For Braves fans eagerly awaiting the return of Joe Jiménez, patience remains the name of the game. The hard-throwing setup man, who quietly became one of Atlanta’s most dependable bullpen arms in 2024, is still deep in rehab mode following offseason knee surgery.
While there are glimmers of progress, manager Brian Snitker made it clear this week: there’s no timeline, and there’s certainly no rush.
Jimenez’s Recovery Is One Box at a Time
Snitker laid it out plainly: “There’s procedures and boxes to check.” And right now, Jiménez is still in that checklist phase. He’s playing catch. He’s engaging in what Snitker described as “strenuous” activity. But that’s about as far as it goes. It’s less “throwing bullpen sessions” and more “getting the mechanics back in motion.” He’s inching forward — not sprinting.
The surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee came back on October 29, 2024. At the time, the Braves were cautious in their projections: eight to 12 months on the shelf. That means the best-case scenario is that he’s back on the mound sometime in August. Worst case? He misses the entire 2025 campaign and returns next spring in North Port. Either way, nobody’s skipping steps. Not with a guy this important.
Dominant For The Braves When It Mattered Most
Let’s not forget just how good Jiménez was last season. In his 69 appearances, he posted a 2.62 ERA with a sparkling 0.99 WHIP and racked up 82 strikeouts. But it was September when he turned electric — a 1.98 ERA and opponents hitting just .123 against him. That kind of eighth-inning dominance is hard to replace.
And to the Braves’ credit, they haven’t exactly collapsed without him. Daysbel Hernández has stepped in and delivered the goods. A 1.89 ERA overall and a 2.08 ERA specifically when pitching the eighth inning? That’s how you hold the line.
Hope for the Stretch Run
Still, make no mistake — Atlanta wants Jiménez back for the stretch. This is not just because of what he can do on the mound but also because of how critical depth is come playoff time. The bullpen can’t be all about the closer. You need that bridge — the guy who locks down the eighth and sets the tone for the ninth.
Right now, Jiménez is somewhere in the middle of a long, methodical process. The good news? He’s progressing. The less good news? That mound at Truist Park is still a long way off. But if he does make it back, even in the dog days of summer, the bullpen boost could push the Braves over the edge.
