Alright, Atlanta Braves fans, let’s talk bullpen—because things aren’t looking as crystal clear as they did heading into last season.
The 2025 pecking order? A bit murky. And to make matters worse, Atlanta’s lost some serious firepower at the back end. A.J. Minter walked in free agency.
And just when fans thought things couldn’t get worse, the news of Joe Jimenez’s knee surgery hit like a gut punch. So, where do the Braves go from here?
The Braves Bullpen Faces Big Questions in 2025
Now, there was hope. Big hope. Tanner Scott—yeah, that Tanner Scott—was supposed to be the guy, the hard-throwing lefty that could come in and stabilize the late innings.
But instead of suiting up in Braves gear, he’ll spend his days in Dodger blue. And with L.A. scooping up talent like they’ve got an unlimited budget (spoiler: they do), Atlanta’s bullpen needs to feel even more urgent.
Here’s the thing—there’s no shortage of bullpen arms still out there in free agency. Every offseason, the market is flooded with veteran relievers, and this year’s no different.
But the real question is: should the Braves take a chance to spend money to bring in a proven arm, or is it time to look within and see if there’s already an answer waiting in-house?
Can Daysbel Hernandez Be the Answer?
Enter Daysbel Hernandez, the name that’s been buzzing among fans and the front office alike.
If you watched him at Triple-A Gwinnett last year, you know the guy’s got the stuff. In 41.2 innings, he racked up 52 strikeouts and a sharp 2.59 ERA. The problem? Those 25 walks that came along with it.
And when he did get the call to Atlanta, it was more of the same—impressive flashes with a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings, but still struggling with consistency.
The departure of Minter and Jimenez leaves a gaping hole in the Braves’ bullpen, and the first shot to fill it will go to the more established names—Aaron Bummer, Dylan Lee, and Pierce Johnson.
But Hernandez? He’s got a real chance to crack the Opening Day roster, especially with the kind of electric arsenal he brings to the mound.
A four-seamer that averages 97.4 mph and a nasty slider with a 42.4% whiff rate? Yeah, the potential is undeniable.
Will the Braves Make a Move or Stay the Course?
The Braves could use that firepower, especially from the right side. And with spring training creeping closer, the window to bring in outside help is shrinking fast.
That’s why giving Hernandez a legitimate shot makes a whole lot of sense, control issues and all. Here’s the kicker—if the bullpen struggles early, Alex Anthopoulos isn’t the kind of guy to just sit back and watch it all unravel.
If the current group can’t lock things down, expect the Braves to be aggressive come the trade deadline. Because one thing’s for sure: they won’t let a shaky bullpen derail their championship aspirations.
