Matt

Barnes

Barnes will look to see if another club will give him a shot after he declined his option to Triple-A. The 33-year-old has allowed 10 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings of work this season with the Nationals.

Barnes cleared waivers and he’ll stay within the Nationals organization at the Triple-A level. The 33-year-old has posted a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP with a 10/4 K/BB ratio across 13 1/3 innings this season with Washington.

Barnes signed a minor league deal with the Nationals at the beginning of the regular season. He impressed during spring training which gave him the opportunity to start the year with the active roster, but the 33-year-old has allowed 10 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings of work this season.

Barnes signed a minor league contract with the Nationals in early March and impressed enough to make the Opening Day roster. The veteran reliever made just 24 appearances with the Marlins last year due to a hip injury.

The deal also presumably contains an invitation to spring training. The 33-year-old veteran right made just 24 appearances last year for the Marlins due to a hip injury. He’s merely extra organizational relief depth at this point.

There was speculation Monday evening a deal was close and now it is reportedly happening. Barnes, 33, was with the Marlins in the 2023 season and will have to earn a spot in the Nationals’ bullpen with only a month to go until the start of the regular season.

The deal is not quite complete, but Barnes could be staying in the NL East if he does sign with the Nationals. Barnes spent the 2023 season with the Marlins and posted a career-worst 5.48 ERA in 24 appearances. He spent his first 9 seasons with the Red Sox where he was named an All-Star during the 2021 season.

Barnes receives a $2.25 million buyout and becomes a free agent. The 33-year-old righty reliever made just 24 appearances in his Marlins debut this past season before undergoing mid-July hip surgery. He’s expected to be ready for the outset of spring training, but will likely be pitching somewhere else in 2024.

The procedural move frees up a spot on Miami’s 40-man roster for newly-acquired closer David Robertson. Barnes is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after undergoing left hip surgery earlier this month.

The 33-year-old right-hander is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023 season. He should be fully recovered and ready to rock for the start of spring training in 2024 though.