Dany

Jimenez

Jiménez was in Braves camp this spring as a non-roster invitee and made just three relief appearances in Grapefruit League action. The 31-year-old righty has plenty of high-leverage experience, but struggled last year in 25 relief outings for the rebuilding Athletics. He should be able to latch on somewhere else, but will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal.

Jiménez was a central component of Oakland’s high-leverage mix for the past three seasons, recording 13 saves to accompany a respectable 3.89 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 80/51 K/BB ratio across 83 1/3 innings (84 appearances), before being non-tendered back in November. The 31-year-old hurler will get a fresh start in Atlanta and seems to have a decent shot at securing one of the final spots in the Braves’ bullpen, if he’s healthy and throwing strikes.

Jiménez was recently non-tendered by the Athletics after posting a 4.91 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 25/19 K/BB ratio across 25 2/3 innings in 2024. However, the 30-year-old had been good for the two seasons prior to that and still holds a 3.93 ERA across 84 2/3 MLB innings. Of course, that comes with a 1.44 WHIP and 21.4 percent strikeout rate. He might have to settle for a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The 30-year-old right-hander was never able to recapture the form that made him a viable high-leverage option out of the bullpen for the A’s during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He posted a disappointing 4.91 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and a 25/19 K/BB ratio across 25 2/3 innings at the big-league level during the 2024 campaign. Jiménez had been expected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $1 million via arbitration.

Jiménez heads back to the minors after being lit up for four runs on Friday night against the Brewers. The 30-year-old righty has posted a pedestrian 4.91 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 25/19 K/BB ratio across 25 2/3 innings (25 appearances) this season at the highest level.

Jiménez missed just under two months with his left oblique strain. The right-hander will be a middle-inning option for the Athletics, and he takes the roster spot of Austin Adams, with Adams placed on the 15-day IL in the corresponding transaction.

Oblique issues can be tricky matters for pitchers, so we’re not expecting Jiménez back at any point in the near future. MLB.com’s Martín Gallegos reports Jiménez has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. The 30-year-old righty has one save this season to go along with a respectable 3.04 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 21/18 K/BB ratio across 23 2/3 innings (23 appearances).

Athletics closer Mason Miller was given the day off. Miller threw two innings and 32 pitches on Thursday against the Rays. Jimenez was called up on Friday and has experience closing games for Oakland with 11 saves in 2022. It’s safe to assume the next save opportunity will go to Miller, but Jimenez might be in line for more saves if Miller were to get injured or traded.

Jimenez saved 11 games for Oakland in 2022. He had a 3.68 ERA in 15 appearances with Oakland this year and a 2.00 ERA in eight appearances with Triple-A. The 30-year-old right-hander will reclaim a spot in the Athletics bullpen.

The 30-year-old reliever will head down to the minors after making 15 appearances with the Athletics where he posted a 3.68 ERA, 1.50 WHIP with a 11/13 K/BB ratio across 14 2/3 innings. Jiménez is 0-for-2 with his save opportunities this season, which is something that may have been a factor in the organization’s decision to send him down to the minors.