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Atlanta Braves Make Trade With Rays After Joe Jimenez Injury
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- Atlanta Braves Make Trade With Rays After Joe Jimenez Injury
The Atlanta Braves made another roster adjustment as springtraining continues, addressing infield depth while also confirming asignificant injury development in their bullpen. With the regular seasonapproaching, the club is juggling health concerns and bench competition at thesame time.
The move comes as the Braves work to solidify their rosterfollowing multiple injury setbacks. Depth has become increasingly important,especially with key contributors already expected to miss time. That urgencyshowed up in a transaction announced by the team on social media this pastweek.
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"The #Braves today acquired INF Brett Wisely from the TampaBay Rays in exchange for cash considerations and placed RHP Joe Jimenez on the60‑day injured list with a left articular cartilage injury," the Braves wroteon X.
The placement of Jimenez on the 60‑day injured list is themore significant long‑term development. The veteran right‑hander missed theentire 2025 season after undergoing knee surgery and now faces another extendedabsence. Because of the 60‑day designation, he will not be eligible to returnuntil at least late May.
In 2024, his last active season, Jimenez was one ofAtlanta's most reliable relievers, posting a 2.62 ERA with 82 strikeouts across68 2/3 innings. His ability to miss bats and handle high‑leverage innings madehim a key part of the bullpen structure.
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Without him, the Braves must reshuffle late‑inning roles andlean more heavily on their remaining relief options. The injury also created a40‑man roster opening, which facilitated the trade.
The player acquired, Brett Wisely, gives Atlanta a versatileleft‑handed infield option. In 2025, Wisely appeared briefly for the Braveslate in the season, going 0 for 6 with 3 walks in 4 games. The bulk of his big‑leagueexperience has come with San Francisco , where he has hit .217 with a .263 on‑basepercentage and a .324 slugging percentage over 164 games, totaling 7 home runs.
Primarily a second baseman, Wisely has also logged inningsat shortstop and in the outfield. His defensive flexibility is valuable,particularly with injuries already impacting the Braves' roster. However, he isout of minor league options, meaning Atlanta must keep him on the active rosteror risk losing him.
This trade underscores how quickly roster dynamics canchange in spring training. Jimenez's setback is a blow to the bullpen, whileWisely's return provides immediate depth and competition on the infield bench.As the Braves navigate early season injuries, both moves could shape how theroster looks on Opening Day and beyond.
