Joe Jiménez Injury News & Updates

Jimenez signed a three-year, $26 million contract extension with Atlanta on Thursday.

Atlanta has now locked up two impending free agent relievers after inking Pierce Johnson to a two-year contract extension last week. Jimenez earned the new deal following an excellent 2023 campaign which saw him collect a 3.04 ERA and 73:14 K:BB over 56.1 innings. He is in line to help set up for Raisel Iglesias again in 2024.

Jimenez struck out one over 1.2 perfect innings of relief Wednesday to record his fourth hold of the season in the second game of a doubleheader against the Tigers.

Facing his former club, the right-hander was dialed in as he protected a 6-5 lead, but despite throwing just 13 pitches (11 strikes) he was replaced by A.J. Minter for the final out of the game and missed out on what would have been his first save of the year. Jimenez was acquired in the offseason from Detroit to bolster Atlanta's high-leverage crew, but he fell out of favor after giving up runs in six of his first nine appearances in May. The 28-year-old appears to be turning things around, however -- he hasn't allowed an earned run in six straight outings with a 7:2 K:BB in 6.2 innings, collecting holds in two of his last three trips to the mound.

Jimenez was activated Saturday from the paternity list.

Jimenez will return to Atlanta's bullpen ahead of Saturday's game against the Mets after welcoming a new addition to his growing family. The former Tigers closer has pitched well out of the gate this season for the reigning NL East champs.

Atlanta placed Jimenez on the paternity list Wednesday.

Jimenez is off to a strong start to his first season in Atlanta, submitting a 2.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while striking out 10 over eight innings of relief and gathering two holds. Though Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) has been on the injured list all season, Jimenez hasn't factored into the mix for saves, as lefty A.J. Minter has instead emerged as manager Brian Snitker's preferred option for closing situations. Danny Young was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to give Atlanta another arm in the bullpen while Jimenez is on paternity leave, but the 28-year-old should immediately settle back into a setup role once he rejoins the big club at some point between Thursday and Saturday.

Jimenez might get some save opportunities with Atlanta while Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is out.

A.J. Minter might be ahead of Jimenez in the pecking order, especially since Jimenez has been eased into things this spring following offseason back surgery. The former Tiger is considered healthy now, though, and was terrific in 2022 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB over 56.2 frames. It's possible Atlanta doesn't settle on one closer while Iglesias is on the shelf.

Jimenez struck out one in a perfect sixth inning during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The right-hander was acquired from Detroit in the offseason to join Atlanta's set-up crew behind closer Raisel Iglesias, but Jimenez underwent back surgery last October and has been brought along slowly in camp. His Opening Day availability doesn't seem to be in jeopardy, however. The 28-year-old posted the best numbers of his career in 2022 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 33.3 percent strikeout rate, and Jimenez should easily be able to top last year's 11 holds with consistent high-leverage work for a much better team.

Jimenez is already throwing side sessions and is expected to be fully recovered from offseason back surgery prior to Opening Day, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. "Oh, yeah, he's fine," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Thursday.

The right-hander had a breakout season for Detroit in 2022, posting a career-best 33.3 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate over 56.2 innings, but a lumbar strain ended his campaign a couple weeks early. Dealt to Atlanta in December, Jimenez should be one of the team's top setup men in 2023 alongside A.J. Minter, and he could get some save chances should closer Raisel Iglesias be unavailable at any point.

Jimenez signed a one-year, $2.765 million contract with the Braves to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Acquired from the Tigers via trade last month, Jimenez is slated to help set up for Raisel Iglesias in his new digs. The righty finally broke out in 2022 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB over 56.2 innings.

The Braves acquired Jimenez and cash considerations from the Tigers in exchange for minor league infielder-outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy and minor league left-hander Jake Higginbotham.

Jimenez finally broke through for the Tigers in 2022, producing a 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 77:13 K:BB ratio over 56.2 innings. He would figure to slide into a middle relief role for the Braves and will be arbitration-eligible for a final time this winter.

Jimenez (back) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Jimenez closed the 2022 campaign on the 15-day injured list with a right lumbar spine strain before the Tigers reinstated him one day after the regular season ended. He's still not fully healthy, however, as he's spent the past month focusing on strengthening his core muscles to regain stability in his spine. Jimenez should start throwing later this winter and will likely enter the spring with no restrictions, but it's unclear if he'll be joining the Tigers for camp. The team will first have to decide whether or not to extend Jimenez a contract for 2023 prior to the Nov. 18 tender deadline.

Jimenez's back injury won't require surgery, so the righty expects to be ready for the start of spring training, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Jimenez had the best season of his career this year, with his 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 5.6 percent walk rate finishing as career lows while his 33.3 percent strikeout rate stands as a career high. His year ended slightly prematurely due to a lumbar spine strain, but the issue isn't expected to carry over into next season.

Jimenez was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right lumbar spine strain Saturday.

Jimenez had a career-best season in 2022 but allowed four runs in 1.2 innings over his last two appearances. It's possible that he was bothered by his back injury during those outings, and he'll be unavailable for the remainder of the season after landing on the injured list. The 27-year-old converted two of four save chances and picked up 11 holds while posting a 3.49 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 56.2 innings over 62 appearances this year.

Jimenez earned the save Sunday in Texas, striking out one in two-thirds of an inning in a 9-8 victory.

Jimenez entered the game with one out and a runner on first after the Rangers had scored three runs off Gregory Soto to get within one run of the Tigers. Jimenez struck out Adolis Garcia and retired the next batter to end the game. It was his second save of the season and first since July 4. With Soto struggling, Jimenez may receive the occasional save chance over the last part of the season.

Jimenez pitched a perfect ninth inning in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Guardians to earn the save. He struck out one.

The Tigers used regular closer Gregory Soto to lock down a win in Game 1, so they turned to Jimenez in the nightcap. The righty looked good, retiring the side on just 11 pitches. Jimenez has been solid this season with a 3.23 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 40 strikeouts across 30.2 innings. Along with Soto, he's a candidate to get traded to a contender that needs bullpen help before the deadline next month.

Jimenez allowed three runs on two hits in an inning of work during the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pirates. He walked one and did not have any strikeouts.

Jimenez entered the game with a sparkling 2.16 ERA this season, having allowed just two earned runs across his first nine appearances. However, we've seen the righty have implosions in the past, and Wednesday's poor outing raised his ERA to 4.82. That's more in line with the 5.96 ERA he posted last year or the horrendous 7.15 ERA he registered in 2020. It's hard for the Tigers or fantasy managers to have much confidence in Jimenez moving forward.

Jimenez struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief to earn a hold in Friday's win over the Royals.

Jimenez has carried over a strong spring into the regular season, as he's now logged four scoreless innings with four strikeouts in the early going. The righty has been volatile before, but he has the talent to string together some good performances if he's able to find some consistency. He should continue to work in front of Michael Fulmer and Gregory Soto in the Detroit bullpen.

Jimenez tossed a scoreless inning in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays and now has a perfect 0.00 ERA this spring with four strikeouts across five innings of work.

It's a very small sample size, but after posting a 7.15 ERA in the condensed 2020 season and a 5.96 ERA last year, any promising signs are welcome with Jimenez. The righty was once considered a potential future closer in Detroit, though he's been passed up by the likes of Gregory Soto and Michael Fulmer in the Tigers' bullpen. Jimenez could pitch himself back onto the fantasy radar, but fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach until he displays more consistency.

Jimenez agreed to a one-year contract with the Tigers on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The terms of the deal remain unclear, but Jimenez and Detroit were able to come to terms without the need of an arbiter. The 27-year-old struggled in 2021 with a 5.96 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 57:35 K:BB over 45.1 innings.

Jimenez (6-1) allowed no hits and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning to earn the win against the White Sox on Sunday.

Jimenez gave up at least one run in three of his final six appearances of the year, but he was sharp in Sunday's regular-season finale to earn his sixth win of 2021. The right-hander posted a 5.96 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 45.1 innings and earned a save and five holds across his 52 relief appearances this season.

Jimenez retired all four batters he faced in a 14-pitch relief appearance in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Royals.

Since being reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Jimenez has come on to deliver two perfect outings out of the bullpen. He'll remain part of the bridge to closer Michael Fulmer during the final week of the regular season.

Jimenez (illness) will be reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Jimenez recently reported to Triple-A Toledo to work out, but he'll be able to rejoin the major-league bullpen without making a rehab appearance. Across three appearances in September prior to testing positive for COVID-19, the right-hander allowed three runs in 2.2 innings.

Jimenez (illness) has reported to Triple-A Toledo to resume working out, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Jimenez tested positive for COVID-19 in early September, but he'll now begin building back up with the minor-league club. The right-hander will require at least one rehab appearance before he's activated, but it's not yet clear when he'll pitch for Toledo.

Jimenez (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

The move was an expected one after it was revealed that Jimenez had tested positive for the virus Monday. He'll now be out for at least 10 days.

The Tigers announced Monday that Jimenez tested positive for COVID-19, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Along with Jimenez, bench coach George Lombard tested positive for the virus, despite both having been vaccinated. It's unclear if the Tigers have a player readily available to take Jimenez's spot on the 28-man active roster for Monday's game in Pittsburgh, so the team could wait until Tuesday before placing Jimenez on the COVID-19 injured list. Jimenez will need to complete a quarantine period of at least 10 days and test negative for the virus before he's eligible to rejoin the Tigers.

Jimenez pitched a perfect inning and struck out two to earn the save in Sunday's 5-3 extra-innings win over Toronto.

After regular closer Gregory Soto kept the game tied in the ninth inning and failed to secure the win in the 10th, Detroit rallied ahead in the 11th. Enter Jimenez, who threw eight of his 10 pitches for strikes to lock down his first save in 2021. The right-hander logged 17 saves over the three previous seasons, but he's seen more of a middle-innings role this year while struggling to a 6.31 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 35.2 innings. As such, Jimenez shouldn't be expected to draw many more save chances outside of emergency situations like Sunday.

Jimenez allowed three runs in an inning of work during Wednesday's win over the Twins. He gave up three hits and a walk while striking out two.

The Tigers prevailed 17-14, so no one really pitched well in this one, and that includes Jimenez. The righty now has a 7.07 ERA this season, and he's clearly fallen behind the likes of Jose Cisnero, Michael Fulmer and Gregory Soto in the Detroit bullpen. That gives Jimenez very little fantasy value unless injuries or trades open up a bigger opportunity later in the year. Even then, the 26-year-old is unlikely to become a trustworthy option anytime soon.

Jimenez (3-1) picked up the win over the Tigers in the second game of Saturday's twin bill, allowing an unearned run on one hit while striking out two over two innings.

Jimenez pitched a scoreless seventh but was a bit wild the following frame in extras. He started off by hitting Nelson Cruz and then eventually allowed the Twins to take the lead on a wild pitch. Fortunately for him, the Tigers were able to walk it off in the bottom half, which awarded him his third win of the year and his first since June 14. The 26-year-old has had his fair share of struggles this season with a 7.54 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and a 28:21 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

Jimenez (2-0) earned the win in relief Monday against the Royals after not allowing a run across two-thirds of an inning, striking out one.

Jimenez entered the game in the third inning after Alex Lange left the game with shoulder discomfort, and he recorded the final two outs of the inning with ease -- needing just seven pitches -- to claim his second victory of the campaign. The right-hander now has four straight scoreless outings and seems to be trending in the right direction once again.

Jimenez was recalled by the Tigers on Saturday.

Jimenez was sent to the Tigers' alternate training site in late April but will now return to the major-league bullpen after right-hander Erasmo Ramirez (chest) was placed on the injured list. Jimenez gave up five runs on no hits and seven walks while striking out two in one inning across two relief appearances to begin the year.

Jimenez was optioned to the Tigers' alternate training site Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez has gotten off to a rough start this year and allowed five runs on no hits and seven walks while striking out two in one inning across two relief appearances. He'll now head to the team's alternate camp to sort things out. The move will make room for Spencer Turnbull, who was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

Jimenez allowed two earned runs on four walks while retiring just two batters in Saturday's loss to the Athletics. He struck out one.

Since being recalled on Thursday, Jimenez has made two appearances, and he's allowed five earned runs across just one inning of work. Walks have been the biggest problem for the righty, as he's issued a whopping seven free passes. Jimenez is going to have pitch a lot better if he wants to stick in the majors. He should continue to work in a low-leverage role for the Tigers for now.

Jimenez was recalled by the Tigers on Thursday.

Jimenez failed to break camp with the Tigers this year but will join the major-league bullpen after outfielder Nomar Mazara (abdomen) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday. The right-hander led the Tigers with five saves in 2020, but it's not yet clear whether he'll factor into the late-inning mix for Detroit in the near future.

Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

Jimenez closed out nine games in 2019 and led the Tigers with five saves in last year's shortened season, but he will not be part of the late-inning mix to open the 2021 campaign and will not even break camp with the big club. Jimenez figures to be called up at some point this season, but he presumably will need to show some results before being considered for save opportunities again.

Jimenez has allowed one earned run across 2.2 innings so far in Grapefruit League action. He's given up two hits and two walks, while also striking out two.

Jimenez put zeroes on the board in his first two spring outings but hit a rough patch on Saturday, allowing three runs (one earned) on a hit, a hit batter and two walks while recording just two outs. The righty has been known for his inconsistency the past few seasons, so it'd be nice to see him string together a few better outings after Saturday's dud. Jimenez is potentially in the mix to close for Detroit, though Gregory Soto and Bryan Garcia are likely ahead of him in the pecking order at this point.

Jimenez is one of several options to close out games for the Tigers to begin the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

It once seemed Jimenez was destined to take the closer role in Detroit and run with it, but the 26-year-old has endured some struggles, including a 7.37 ERA across 22.2 innings last season. The Tigers have a new manager in A.J. Hinch, so it might be a clean slate of sorts for Jimenez, but he'll need a strong spring to overtake the likes of Gregory Soto and Bryan Garcia in the bullpen pecking order.

Jimenez and the Tigers settled on a one-year, $1.5 million contract Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Jimenez struggled significantly in 2020, losing his closer job while posting a 7.15 ERA in 22.2 innings. The Tigers don't have any obvious candidates for the role going forward, but Jimenez's career 5.65 ERA hardly suggests he should be favored to win it even though he's pitched in the ninth inning in the past.

Jimenez allowed three earned runs on two hits while recording just two outs in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Jimenez had looked a little better recently with a 3.86 ERA over his previous six appearances (4.2 innings), but as has been the case too often this season, he was hit hard Thursday. The former Detroit closer fell victim to two home runs, and he's now given up seven long balls in just 15 innings this year. With an ugly 10.80 ERA, Jimenez is likely to remain in a lower-leverage role for the Tigers, while Bryan Garcia, Jose Cisnero and Gregory Soto share save opportunities.

Jimenez (1-3) allowed an unearned run on one hit and took the loss in Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Twins.

Jimenez pitched the eighth inning of a 2-2 game, and because it was technically extra innings, Minnesota started the frame with a runner on second. A little seeing-eye single up the middle did Jimenez in, and he didn't get any help from center fielder Derek Hill, who bobbled the ball as he tried to come up firing to home. It's a tough-luck loss for the 25-year-old in a season that's been a disaster so far. Jimenez now has a 10.80 ERA and he's on the outside looking in at the closer role in Detroit.

Jimenez (1-2) allowed a run on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the Brewers on Wednesday. He also hit two batters.

Jimenez had little control in his brief appearance, and the bases-loaded sacrifice fly he allowed to Eric Sogard was enough to stick him with the loss. The 25-year-old Jimenez was pulled from the closer role a week ago and has only made three appearances since. In that span, he's allowed two runs in two innings. Jimenez has an 11.81 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 11 strikeouts across 10.2 innings this season. With no closing duties expected in his future, he's a non-factor in the fantasy game.

Jimenez is no longer the Tigers' closer, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The 25-year-old allowed seven runs in his past two outings and appeared during the sixth inning Wednesday, with manager Ron Gardenhire confirming the change after the game. Jimenez has a 12.46 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 8.2 innings this season and will look to get back on track in lower-leverage spots. Gregory Soto, Jose Cisnero and Buck Farmer are expected to operate as a committee closer based on matchups.

Jimenez allowed three earned runs on one hit and two walks while retiring just a single batter in Sunday's 7-4 win over Cleveland.

Jimenez got the ninth inning with the Tigers up 7-1, but he promptly walked the first two batters and then allowed a three-run home run to Greg Allen before getting pulled with one out. The 25-year-old is ostensibly still the closer in Detroit, but with an atrocious 12.46 ERA, it's hard to see manager Ron Gardenhire having much confidence in Jimenez moving forward. Buck Farmer would likely take the reins in the ninth inning if the team decided to make a switch.

Jimenez allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while retiring just one batter in Thursday's loss to the White Sox. He struck out one.

Jimenez has served as Detroit's primary closer this season, but with the Tigers entering the day on an eight-game losing streak, the reliever came into the game with his team down 5-0 in the eighth. After striking out Adam Engel to begin the frame, Jimenez could not record another out. He was lifted from the game after Eloy Jimenez took him deep for a two-run homer. Jimenez now holds a messy 9.72 ERA on the campaign, and given his struggles, it would not be surprising for manager Ron Gardenhire to look elsewhere next time the Tigers come across a small lead in the ninth inning.

Jimenez pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.

Jimenez last pitched on Friday, when he allowed three earned runs and blew his first save of the season, so it was good to see the Detroit closer bounce back Sunday and record his fifth save of the year. He still has a bloated 6.43 ERA through seven appearances and his velocity has been a bit down to begin the season, but he should stick in the ninth inning with the Tigers lacking a ton of other great options in their bullpen.

Jimenez struck out two but gave up a game-tying three-run home run to Adam Frazier in the ninth inning of Friday's 17-13 extra-innings win over the Pirates.

The right-hander came within one strike of fanning the side and securing his fifth save of the season, but instead Bryan Reynolds and Phillip Evans poked two-out singles to set up Frazier's blast and saddle Jimenez with his first blown save. The Tigers closer now carried an unsightly 7.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through six innings with a 4:1 K:BB, and it's worth noting that his velocity remains down -- he topped out at 95.7 mph with his fastball Friday, a figure that would have been more reflective of his average fastball in prior seasons, and the four-seam fastball Frazier tagged registered at only 91.9 mph.

Jimenez (0-1) was charged with the loss in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Reds. He allowed one run on three hits with no walks or strikeouts in one inning.

After Detroit tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a Nick Castellanos error, Jimenez gave the lead right back the next half inning. He is 4-for-4 in save chances on the young season, but Jimenez is worth keeping a close eye on as his velocity is down a tick and the swing-and-miss has been noticeably absent (just two swinging strikes on 17 pitches Sunday).

Jimenez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

The Tigers are off to a 4-2 start, and Jimenez has saves in all of the team's wins. The hard-throwing righty has been up and down since arriving in the majors in 2017, but he has the stuff to be a dominant closer, as evidenced by the 82 strikeouts he recorded in just 59.2 innings a season ago.

Jimenez did not allow a baserunner and struck out one to earn the save Tuesday against the Royals.

Jimenez was called upon to protect a one-run lead and did so with little trouble, needing only eight pitches to retire the side in order. It was a bounceback outing for Jimenez, who allowed an earned run on two hits in last outing -- though he did successfully hold the lead. Jimenez has earned a save while closing out all three of the Tigers' wins this season.

Jimenez worked around two hits and a run to secure the save in Sunday's win over the Reds.

Jimenez was spotted a two-run lead, and he quickly gave up consecutive doubles that cut the lead in half. However, the righty buckled down and stranded the tying run at second base to secure his second save in as many days. Jimenez often makes things interesting in the ninth inning, but the rebuilding Tigers will likely give the 25-year-old a decently long leash to establish himself as the team's closer.

Jimenez worked around a walk to throw a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save against the Reds on Saturday.

The Tigers took the lead against Raisel Iglesias in the top of the ninth. Jimenez entered the game and did not turn in his prettiest outing; he threw five straight pitches out of the strike zone at one point and left a hanging pitch that Eugenio Suarez just missed on the final flyout. Still, Jimenez got the job done and is firmly entrenched in the role for Detroit.

Jimenez posted a 1.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP to go along with five strikeouts across six innings this spring.

Jimenez looked sharp in the small Grapefruit League sample and will be Detroit's unquestioned closer whenever the 2020 regular season is able to begin. Any closer has value in fantasy, but Jimenez's struggles in 2019 (five blown saves in 14 opportunities) along with his team context make him a bit of a risky pick compared to other end-game options.

Jimenez pitched a scoreless inning in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He allowed a hit and struck out one.

For the first time in his MLB career, Jimenez will enter the season as the closer. He struggled some in the role last year, blowing five of 14 save opportunities, though the 25-year-old did record an impressive 82 strikeouts across 59.2 innings. Like a lot of younger pitchers, the key for Jimenez will be controlling his dynamic arsenal, which is something he'll work on this spring.