The Atlanta Braves might finally be getting some good news on the injury front, and it’s arriving in the form of a potential bullpen boost. Right-hander Joe Jiménez, one of the Braves’ most dependable relievers in 2024, is working his way back. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, he threw his first bullpen session on Tuesday. A return in August is very much on the table.
Let’s not gloss over the significance here. Jiménez underwent major knee surgery at the end of October—a procedure that came with an 8- to 12-month recovery timeline. And yet here we are, nine months later, and the guy is back on a mound throwing bullpens. That’s not just ahead of schedule—it’s an impressive grind, and Braves manager Brian Snitker knows it.
“He’s a Tough Dude,” says Braves Manager
“I’m just kind of amazed that he’s able to do what he did with what he had going on,” Snitker said. “It’s been a big rehab for him… he’s been very diligent and consistent.”
It’s clear now that Jiménez had been dealing with a knee issue long before he hit the operating table. Snitker believes the reliever pitched through pain during the 2024 stretch run, noting how quickly the surgery occurred after the season ended.
One example? On the final day of the regular season, Jiménez threw an inning in both games of a doubleheader against the Mets. That’s old-school, dig-deep kind of stuff—and it wasn’t lost on anyone in the clubhouse.
“When they found out how extensive the surgery was, I was like, man, that’s something else,” Snitker added. “You were handling a load that you did.”
What He Brings Back to the Bullpen
In 2024, Jiménez was lights out. He posted a 2.62 ERA and a WHIP under 1.00 (0.99) across 68 2/3 innings and 69 appearances. He wasn’t just eating innings—he was owning them. In a bullpen that leaned heavily on Raisel Iglesias to close out games, Jiménez gave Atlanta a rock-solid setup option that helped lock down late innings and shorten games.
Now, Iglesias is struggling in 2025 and a number of younger arms like Daysbel Hernández and Dylan Lee are beginning to step up. Jiménez’s return would give the Braves a new kind of problem: who gets the ball when the game’s on the line? But that’s the kind of problem any manager would welcome.
Eyes on August—and Beyond
Of course, this isn’t a guarantee. Jiménez still needs to show he’s healthy, consistent, and ready for the grind of high-leverage innings again. But Tuesday’s bullpen session was the first concrete sign that his return is more than just optimism—it’s within reach.
If he comes back in August and resembles even 80% of the pitcher he was in 2024, the Braves’ bullpen suddenly gets a whole lot deeper. And if Atlanta still finds itself fighting for a Wild Card spot—or trying to play spoiler down the stretch—having Jiménez in that mix could be a game-changer.
For now, all signs are pointing up. Joe Jiménez is on the way. If everything continues trending in the right direction, the Braves might be getting back one of their toughest—and most trusted—arms when they need him the most.
