The Braves have released right-handed reliever, according to the team’s transaction log on MLB.com. Jimenez was non-tendered by the A’s in November and signed a minor league contract with Atlanta in mid-January.
The 31-year-old reliever made three spring appearances for the Braves, totaling just one inning. During that time, he faced ten batters, walked five, and allowed two runs. Although he was never a strong candidate to make the roster, Jimenez will now explore other opportunities instead of heading to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Earlier this week, the Braves selected Hector Neris and Enyel De Los Santos to bolster their bullpen, which already featured several prominent veterans like Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer, and Dylan Lee. The team’s overall bullpen depth made it difficult for Jimenez to earn a spot on the big league roster.
In 2022-23, Jimenez posted a 3.43 ERA in 57 2/3 innings, despite a modest 23% strikeout rate and a high 13.4% walk rate. However, his control issues worsened in 2024, as he walked over 16% of batters and recorded a 4.91 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. His average fastball also dropped from a career-high 93.9 mph in 2022 to 92.5 mph in 2024, according to Statcast.
Given his struggles in 2024 and limited success in spring training with Atlanta, Jimenez is likely to sign another minor league deal. He has two option years left and four more seasons of club control, but he’ll need to perform well in Triple-A to earn a spot on a 40-man roster.
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