Former All-Star reliever Joe Jimenez has joined the Atlanta Braves from the Detroit Tigers, with the Braves sending two minor-league players to Detroit in exchange.
At 28 years old, Jimenez was 3-2 with two saves and a 3.49 ERA in 62 games for the Tigers last season. Jimenez is a welcome addition to the Braves, especially as they look to reinforce their roster following the departure of Kenley Jansen. Jansen made the decision to depart from the Braves after being offered a $32 million, two-year deal from the Boston Red Sox. Jansen led the Braves in the National League with 41 saves last season.
In exchange for allowing Jimenez to depart for Atlanta, Detroit has acquired the services of outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy and left-hander Jake Higginbotham. Playing at three minor league levels, Malloy hit .289 with 17 home runs and 81 RBI over the course of last season. Higginbotham went 25 while obtaining a 4.73 ERA in 48 relief appearances for Double-A Mississippi.
