Let’s talk about an injury for the Atlanta Braves flying way too far under the radar.
While everyone is still reeling from the offseason departures—Charlie Morton’s steady presence and Max Fried’s ace-level dominance now belonging to another team—there’s another major blow to Atlanta’s pitching staff that isn’t getting enough attention.
And no, it’s not AJ Minter packing his bags for New York, though that one definitely stings. It’s Joe Jimenez.
The Setup Man Atlanta Can’t Replace
Yes, Jimenez—the rock-solid setup man who played a huge role in stabilizing the Braves’ bullpen—is sidelined after knee surgery, and let’s be clear: this is a big deal.
Losing Jimenez isn’t just a minor setback; it could change how the Braves handle late innings in 2025.
Raisel Iglesias is still in the closer role, but without Jimenez setting him up? That’s a lot of pressure on a bullpen that didn’t get a major reinforcement this offseason.
A Timeline That Keeps the Door Open
What exactly happened? The Braves knew something wasn’t quite right with Jimenez, but few expected the bombshell that he needed surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. The recovery timeline?
Somewhere between eight to twelve months. And that’s where things get dicey. If it’s on the longer end, Jimenez is out for the entire season. If he makes a speedy recovery, he could be back in time to make a real impact in the second half.
Here’s the good news: spring training updates suggest Jimenez is on track. He’s in good spirits, working through rehab, and while he’s not making any promises, the possibility of a return in 2025 is very much alive.
As he put it himself, “Obviously, it’s a long process, but I come here every day to work and try to do everything that I can… Hopefully I pitch this year. We don’t know yet.”
Will the Braves Need a Backup Plan?
If Jimenez does make it back by late summer, that’s a huge win for the Braves. If he doesn’t?
Well, let’s just say the front office better be ready to make some serious moves at the trade deadline because a shorthanded bullpen in October is not a recipe for success.
