Joe Jimenez

Position: RHP
Born: 01/17/95
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Signed as a non-drafted free agent June 24, 2013 (DET).

Most Recent Stats at Time of Debut
2016 Season Stats: Combined to go 3-3 with a 1.51 ERA and 30 saves in 31 opportunities in 55 games between Lakeland (High A), Erie (Double-A0 and Toledo (Triple-A), striking out 78 batters in 53 2/3 innings and walking just 17 while allowing 26 hits, limiting opposing batters to a .144 average. In two games at Toledo to open 2017, he'd notched one save in two scoreless outings, striking out three.

Info & MLB Debut Date
Contract purchased from Toledo April 10 when RHP Bruce Rondon was sent down.
MLB Debut Date: 04/13/17

Debut Details
April 13, in an 11-5 loss to the Twins. The last of four pitchers, he tossed a perfect ninth inning, striking out one. Of 13 pitches thrown, nine were for strikes. Coming on to start the ninth in place of right-handed reliever Shane Greene, Jimenez got Chris Gimenez to foul out to left, after which Eddie Rosario popped out to shortstop and Byron Buxton struck out swinging.

Player Notes
Jimenez, who was sent back to Toledo immediately after his debut to clear an active roster spot for right-handed reliever William Cuevas, was signed out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in Gurabo after going undrafted in 2013. Since then, he's put up as good numbers as any short reliever in the game in the ensuing four seasons, combining to bring a career 14-6 record, 1.57 ERA in 128 games and 53 saves, with 207 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings, allowing 82 hits and walking just 42 to limit hitters in that span to a .165 average. His slider is tops in the organization and his velo has improved since signing so that his fastball can now touch the high 90s. Though he's been used as a closer, and could arguably play that role in the bigs, for now look for the 22-year-old to see time in a set-up role. He got some valuable spring training time with the feel-good-story Puerto Rico team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.