Joe Jiménez has hope again as comeback attempt takes notable step
Braves reliever Joe Jiménez has spent two years behind the scenes, working on his long-shot comeback attempt after multiple knee surgeries. That’s what made Friday’s live bullpen session at Truist Park so significant — and worthy of all the hugs he received walking off the field afterward.
This was a notable step for Jiménez, whose career once seemed in doubt. It was his first session facing hitters again in this environment. He conducted the workout serenaded by fake crowd noise to create more of a game atmosphere.
“It’s been a long time; it means the world to me,” Jiménez said. “I felt great.”
It seems unrealistic that Jiménez, who hasn’t pitched since the end of the 2024 season, could play in 2026. He didn’t rule it out, but he acknowledged the reality that time is fleeting.
“The timeline is just really tight,” he said, adding his goal would be to pitch this season. “We’ll see where we’re at next week and see what happens.”
Braves manager Walt Weiss noted how far Jiménez, 31, has come. There were times it appeared unlikely he’d pitch again. There were times of little hope. The last time Jiménez faced opposing major league hitters was during the 2024 Wild Card Series in San Diego. He’s since undergone three knee surgeries, one in each year, as some of his prime seasons were taken from him.
Once a pivotal piece of a contender’s bullpen (2.81 ERA over two seasons with the Braves), Jiménez became a forgotten man. He was forced to turn his attention to rehab — and finding optimism that he’d one day strut out of a bullpen again.
“I think that’s behind him now,” Weiss said. “He does have hope again.”
Weiss said it’d be beneficial if Jiménez pitched in a game before entering the offseason. That likely means a minor league or instructional league game. But just as Friday’s session was a mental boost, appearing in a game at any level would help Jiménez build momentum heading into winter.
Jiménez is a free agent and would likely receive a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training from any team that would want to evaluate his health. The Braves, who previously signed him to a three-year, $26 million extension and have aided him through his rehab, could bring him back to continue evaluating his progress.
“It’s been crazy, man,” Jiménez said of the past two years. “But I’m grateful to be in here. Just to stand here and be in this clubhouse still, have a uniform. At one point, I thought that it was done. It’s just been a long process and I’m just grateful for all the opportunities and to be in this position right now.”