The Atlanta Braves bullpen is in a weird spot at this point of the season. If we make the assumption that Robert Suarez's arm injury isn't serious, the Braves are in a good place when it comes to high-leverage situations with Suarez, Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee, and Raisel Iglesias. However, the depth beyond those names has largely consisted of a rotating cast of characters as Atlanta tries to set their pitching staff up the way they would like it. One reason for that has been the absence of Joe Jimenez.
When Jimenez is right, he is one of the better relievers that the Braves have, but it has been a long time since he was right. Back in 2024, Jimenez was experiencing knee soreness that wasn't considered serious, but it quickly became apparent that his condition was chronic and Braves officials openly wondered whether he would be able to pitch again at all. He has not pitched in the big leagues since throwing a scoreless inning against the Padres in the 2024 playoffs.
Thankfully, it looks like Jimenez is finally heading in the right direction. It was reported on Saturday that Jimenez had a locker in Atlanta again and, according to manager Walt Weiss, his most recent knee surgery has him headed in the right direction. However, even if Jimenez defies the odds and bounces back completely, it shouldn't change the fact that the Braves need to aggressively shop for another reliever at the trade deadline.
#Braves MGR Walt Weiss said the most recent knee surgery gave Joe Jiménez hope that he'll be able to pitch again. He's made some good progress in Florida and is back with the team in Atlanta, but still quite a ways away from discussing a return or any timetable for that. https://t.co/OGYZcUTmrJ
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) July 4, 2026
Even if Joe Jimenez returns relatively quickly (and that's a BIG if), the Braves need to add a lefty reliever
Look, Jimenez potentially coming back would be amazing. Most had left his career for dead after previous updates made it sound like there was little to no hope for his knee. If Atlanta is able to get Jimenez at 75% or so for any amount of time this season, that would be a very pleasant surprise.
However, it wouldn't change that the Braves need help in their bullpen due to the fact that their need is specifically for another lefty. Lee has been an absolute monster this year and has an argument as being one of the best relievers in baseball this year. However, he is a guy who is going to be used in high-leverage situations regardless of who is at the plate, and Atlanta doesn't have a lefty reliever after him that can be brought in to neutralize opposing lefty hitters.
Jimenez doesn't fix that problem other than potentially making Lee available a bit more often. While the Braves really need starting pitching help as well as a right-handed hitting outfielder at the deadline, left-handed bullpen help needs to stay on their deadline shopping list, no matter what is going on with Jimenez.
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