Braves Re-Acquire Brett Wisely; Joe Jiménez Placed on 60-Day IL with Setback
The Atlanta Braves have been exceptionally busy on the first day of Spring Training, making notable moves to bolster their roster for the 2026 season. In a late-night announcement, the team confirmed that they have re-acquired infielder Brett Wisely in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Braves sent cash considerations to Tampa Bay in exchange for Wisely, who had previously been traded away earlier in the offseason when Atlanta had designated him for assignment. Wisely had been designated by Tampa Bay, allowing the Braves to strike an agreement and bring him back to their organization.
Brett Wisely: A Depth Addition for the Braves
Brett Wisely’s return is a key move for the Braves as they aim to add infield and utility depth heading into the 2026 campaign. Wisely appeared with the Braves late in the 2025 season and now rejoins the team with an opportunity to fill a versatile role in the infield. His addition provides much-needed depth, especially with starting shortstop Ha-Seong Kim expected to be out for a significant portion of the first half of the season due to injury.
Kim’s injury has left a hole in the Braves’ infield, but the team has made several recent moves to shore up their depth. The Braves added infielder Kyle Farmer just last week, continuing to strengthen their infield options. Additionally, the team made a key signing in infielder Jorge Mateo last month, providing even more flexibility for manager Brian Snitker. The Braves also re-signed Luke Williams to a minor league deal, adding further depth to the organization’s infield.
Mauricio DubĂłn, who was expected to fill a super-utility role, is now slated to take over as the Braves’ starting shortstop for the time being, given the extended absence of Kim. With these moves, the Braves have addressed multiple needs and ensured that their infield depth remains solid for the upcoming season, even with some uncertainty around Kim’s health.
Joe Jiménez’s Injury Setback: A Blow to the Bullpen
While the addition of Wisely is positive news for the Braves, the team also had to deal with an unfortunate setback regarding their bullpen. Reliever Joe Jiménez, who missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, has been placed on the 60-day injured list with a left articular cartilage issue. This development is particularly concerning for the Braves, as Jiménez’s status for 2026 had already been in question throughout the offseason.
JimĂ©nez is in the final year of a three-year contract that he signed prior to the 2024 season, and his injury will delay his return to the Braves’ bullpen. The 28-year-old right-hander had been expected to play a significant role in Atlanta’s bullpen, but this setback raises doubts about his ability to contribute in 2026. The Braves had hoped to see JimĂ©nez return to form and provide a reliable arm out of the bullpen, but for now, they will need to make adjustments.
Bullpen Depth: Braves Ready for JimĂ©nez’s Absence
The Braves have been proactive this offseason in bolstering their bullpen, and their depth will be crucial in the absence of Jiménez. In addition to their current stable of relievers, the team made a marquee free-agent signing in Robert Suárez, a highly sought-after arm who can step in and provide stability in high-leverage situations. Atlanta also added valuable depth options like Ian Hamilton, Joel Payamps, and James Karinchak, who is working toward a potential comeback after struggling with injuries in recent years.
The Braves’ bullpen remains strong with the return of closer Raisel Iglesias, who had an outstanding 2025 season, as well as reliever Tyler Kinley. Iglesias, in particular, has been one of the most reliable closers in the league, and his continued presence gives the Braves confidence in their ability to close out games, even with the loss of Jiménez for now.
With a revamped bullpen that includes both established veterans and promising newcomers, the Braves are in a good position to weather the absence of Jiménez and continue to field one of the league’s most formidable pitching staffs.
Looking Ahead: Braves’ Depth Could Be Key in 2026
As the Braves continue to shape their roster for the 2026 season, their ability to adapt to injuries and add depth across the board will be key to their success. While the loss of Ha-Seong Kim and Joe Jiménez presents challenges, the team’s depth—particularly in the infield and bullpen—gives them the flexibility to overcome these setbacks.
With Brett Wisely’s return to the fold, the Braves now have an experienced and capable utility infielder to add to their roster. In the bullpen, the Braves’ new additions, including Robert Suárez and the depth options, should help fill the gap left by JimĂ©nez, ensuring the bullpen remains a strength heading into the season.
In the coming weeks, the Braves will continue to assess their roster as Spring Training progresses, with hopes of building on their strong 2025 performance and securing another postseason berth in 2026. The team’s overall depth—both in the field and on the mound—will be critical to their success, and the moves made so far suggest that they are ready to contend at the highest level.
