Tony

Barnette

Barnette announced the news via his personal Instagram page on Tuesday evening. “Being a ballplayer has been an honor,” he wrote. “I’ve thrown my last pitch.” The 36-year-old right-hander worked in relief for the Rangers and Cubs during a four-year major league career, posting a 3.53 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 145 1/3 total innings between 2016-2019. He also spent six seasons in the minors between 2010-2015.

Barnette dealt with shoulder issues this year and made just 15 appearances between Triple-A and the majors before finishing the year on the restricted list. He’ll look for a new opportunity elsewhere.

Barnette is taking time to mull his future after being optioned to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs will have a spot free on their 40-man roster while Barnett is away.

The move clears room for Craig Kimbrel, who will be called up by the Cubs on Thursday prior to their contest with the Braves. Barnette appeared in two games, including a clean inning on Thursday. He’ll likely be back up with Chicago at some point this summer.

Barnette has been out all season with shoulder issues but is now ready to fill a middle relief role. Rowan Wick was sent down.

Barnette has been out all season with a shoulder issue. His rehab assignment figures to be a fairly lengthy one.

If that goes well, a minor league rehab assignment could soon follow. Barnette is currently on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue, but he could be ready for activation around the end of May if he is able to avoid further setbacks. The reliever had to halt a rehab assignment in late April due to renewed shoulder soreness.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Oscar De La Cruz’s return from suspension. Barnette is still dealing with tightness in his right shoulder and has been pulled off his rehab assignment.

Barnette hit a batter, issued a walk, and allowed an RBI double while recording only two outs. The 35-year-old right-hander missed most of spring training because of a shoulder issue and is probably going to spend a couple weeks on the farm before the Cubs consider adding him to their bullpen mix at the major league level.

Which means they could both be options for the Cubs’ battered bullpen around the middle of April -- so sometime next week. Barnette opened the 2019 regular season on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder soreness, while Cedeno has been working through a left wrist issue.