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

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.