The Atlanta Braves re-signed right-hander Joe Jiménez to a three-year, $26 million contract on Thursday, bringing back another vital part of their bullpen.
Jiménez will earn $8 million next season and $9 million in the last two years of his contract. He has agreed to give 1% of his salary to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
In his first season with the Braves, the 28-year-old Jiménez went 0-3 with a 3.04 ERA in 50 outings after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers in a trade last December.
Jiménez pitched substantially better after a slow start, finishing with a 2.33 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings. In his lone postseason appearance, he pitched a scoreless inning.
Jiménez played for the Tigers for six seasons, making the All-Star Game in his first full season in 2018.
Jiménez’s re-signing comes on the heels of a new contract for right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson, who avoided free agency by agreeing to a $14.25 million, two-year agreement with the Braves last week.
Johnson will earn $7 million during the next two seasons, with a $7 million club option for 2026 and a $250,000 buyout.
Raisel Iglesias, who had 33 saves and a 2.75 ERA last season, is under contract for two more years, while set-up man A.J. Minter (3-6, 10 saves, 3.76 ERA) is in his final year of arbitration.
The Braves are also hoping to see lefty Tyler Matzek return after missing the entire season due to Tommy John surgery.
Kirby Yates ($5.75 million with a $1.25 million buyout), Collin McHugh ($6 million with a $1 million buyout), and Brad Hand ($7 million with a $500,000 buyout) have till next week to decide on club options.
Yates, who finished 7-2 with a 3.28 ERA and five saves in his first full season since 2019, appears to be the most likely to return.
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