Atlanta Braves Battle Injuries, Bullpen Woes in Disappointing 2025 Season
The 2025 MLB season has not gone as planned for the Atlanta Braves. Despite high hopes and the much-anticipated returns of stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider, the team finds itself under .500 with a 39-46 record. That slump puts the Braves in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Bullpen Woes Continue to Plague Atlanta
A major reason for Atlanta’s underwhelming performance has been the inconsistency of its bullpen. Over the first half of the season, relievers have struggled to protect leads and keep the team competitive in tight games. The lack of reliable options out of the pen has been a glaring weakness—one the front office hopes to remedy soon.
Relief could come in the form of veteran pitcher Joe Jiménez, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Jiménez recently threw his first bullpen session of the year, signaling progress toward a potential return.
Joe Jiménez Eyes August Comeback
Jiménez, who was acquired in a 2023 trade with the Detroit Tigers, had a stellar season in 2024 that earned him a three-year, $26 million contract extension with Atlanta. That investment looked wise after he posted career-best numbers: a 2.62 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings, and a 160 ERA+ across 68 2/3 innings pitched.
However, postseason knee surgery put his availability for the 2025 season in doubt. The original prognosis suggested an 8–12 month recovery, placing his possible return between August and October. Although some speculated that he might miss the entire season, Jiménez’s recent progress hints at an earlier-than-expected return—possibly in August, nine months after surgery.
While getting Jiménez back could bring stability to the bullpen, there’s concern that it might come too late to salvage Atlanta’s playoff hopes.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Shines Amid Team’s Struggles
One of the few bright spots for Atlanta has been the return of Ronald Acuña Jr., who missed most of 2024 due to a torn ACL. The former MVP has been outstanding since rejoining the team in late May. In just 36 games, Acuña is slashing..346/.465/.598 with 9 home runs, 18 RBIs, and 33 runs scored. His performance has translated to a 196 OPS+, and he was rightly rewarded with his fifth All-Star selection.
Despite his explosive return, Acuña’s presence hasn’t translated to wins. The Braves have gone just 15-20 since he was activated on May 23, and they’ve slipped further behind in the NL East standings. Atlanta is now 11 games back and tied for third place with the Miami Marlins, a significant drop from the 8.5-game deficit they faced when Acuña came back.
Loss of Chris Sale Adds to the Team’s Woes
Further compounding the Braves’ issues is the recent loss of ace Chris Sale, who was placed on the 60-day injured list due to a rib injury. Sale, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, had been having another exceptional season before being sidelined in late June. His absence removes a critical piece from the rotation at a time when the team desperately needs stability and high-level performance.
A Rocky Road Ahead for Atlanta
With a subpar record and a difficult climb back into playoff contention, the Braves are in a precarious position as the second half of the season approaches. The potential return of Joe Jiménez might boost a bullpen in need, and the elite play of Acuña Jr. gives fans something to cheer about. But unless the team can rally soon—and stay healthy—it’s looking increasingly likely that Atlanta’s postseason streak could come to an end.
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