Joe Jiménez Will Become Free Agent This Winter
The 31-year-old pitcher will explore new options after concluding his time with the Atlanta Braves.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Baseball
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Atlanta Braves reliever Joe Jiménez is set to become a free agent this winter following the conclusion of the 2026 MLB regular season. The 31-year-old has not appeared in an MLB game since 2024 while recovering from three separate knee surgeries.
Why it matters
Jiménez enters the open market with a proven track record as a reliever, providing teams with a potential veteran arm to bolster their bullpen depth. His availability marks a transition point for both the player and the Braves as he looks to return to form.
Jiménez holds a 2.81 ERA and a 1-8 record through 128 appearances for the Braves. The 31-year-old pitcher spent the first six years of his professional career with the Detroit Tigers.
The players
Joe Jiménez
He is a 31-year-old veteran pitcher who was an MLB All-Star in 2018 and has played for both the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves.
Atlanta Braves
This is a professional MLB team based in Atlanta that acquired the pitcher from the Detroit Tigers before the 2023 season.
Detroit Tigers
This professional MLB team is where the pitcher spent the first six years of his career before being traded in 2022.
The details
After undergoing three knee surgeries following the 2024 season, the 2018 All-Star began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on September 15. The right-hander has been working to regain his rhythm on the mound ahead of his impending transition to free agency.
Timeline
Jiménez made the MLB All-Star Game in 2018.
The Detroit Tigers traded Jiménez to the Atlanta Braves on December 7, 2022.
Jiménez last pitched in an MLB game during the 2024 season.
Jiménez began a rehab assignment in Gwinnett on September 15, 2026.
The 2026 MLB regular season concludes on September 27, 2026.
The Big Picture
This move follows the standard expiration of an MLB contract, a process governed by the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement's free agency eligibility rules. The player's transition to free agency follows the standardized timeline established by the current league agreement.
The departure leaves a vacancy in the Atlanta bullpen that the team must address through trades or free-agent signings this winter. Fantasy managers and fans should monitor his medical clearance status, as his effectiveness remains tied to his recovery from three knee surgeries.
The takeaway
Players returning from significant injury often face a high degree of uncertainty regarding their market value when entering free agency. Successful recovery during rehab remains the critical factor for Jiménez to secure a spot on a major league roster for the upcoming season.
Further reading
For more on the latest roster moves in the league, visit Baseball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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