The Braves have released right-handed reliever, according to the team’s transaction log on MLB.com. the veteran who was non-tendered by the A’s in November, signed a minor league deal with Atlanta in mid-January.
The 31-year-old appeared in three spring training games for the Braves but pitched only one inning, facing ten batters, walking five, and allowing two runs. With little chance of making the roster, he will now explore other opportunities rather than heading to Triple-A Gwinnett. Earlier this week, Atlanta selected Hector Neris and Enyel De Los Santos to join a bullpen already featuring veterans like Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer, and Dylan Lee, making Jimenez’s path to the big leagues even tougher.
From 2022-23, Jimenez posted a 3.43 ERA over 57 2/3 innings despite an average 23% strikeout rate and a high 13.4% walk rate. His struggles worsened in 2024, as his walk rate climbed above 16% and his ERA rose to 4.91 over 25 2/3 innings. Statcast data also showed a decline in his average fastball velocity, dropping from a career-high 93.9 mph in 2022 to 92.5 mph in 2024.
Given his recent struggles, Jimenez will likely have to settle for a minor league deal wherever he signs next. While he still has two option years and four seasons of club control remaining, he will need to prove himself in Triple-A before earning another shot at a 40-man roster spot.
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