The Detroit Tigers staff noticed something was different with Joe Jimenez back in spring training.
Coming off the worst two seasons of his career in 2020 and 2021 — he posted a combined minus-1.2 WAR, with a 6.35 ERA and 1.471 WHIP in 68 innings — the 2018 All-Star came into camp looking to prove he could once again be a reliable option in the back end of the bullpen.
"It started on his own during the lockout where he revamped a few things," said manager A.J. Hinch after Jimenez got this first save of the season Monday in Game 2 of a doubleheader sweep over Cleveland.