Tres

Barrera

Barrera, 31, hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since he had two plate appearances with the Cardinals in 2023. He spent the 2025 campaign in the Rays’ organization where he slashed .209/.299/.332 with eight homers and 33 RBI over 269 plate appearances between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham. He’ll add catching depth for the Nationals.

No real surprises here since Jiménez was informed earlier this week that he wasn’t going to make Tampa Bay’s season-opening roster over former top prospect Curtis Mead.

The 30-year-old backstop spent the 2024 season in the Mexican League where he hit .258/.333/.421 with six homers, 31 RBI and a 26/16 K/BB ratio across 181 plate appearances. He’ll add depth and experience behind the plate in big league camp during spring training.

Barrera went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last week and will remain with the Cardinals as extra organizational catching depth. The 28-year-old backstop got into only six games for the Cardinals during his brief stint back in the majors.

No word yet on what the corresponding move will be, but it’s expected that Barrera will be replaced on the Cardinals’ roster by a position player. The 28-year-old saw just two at-bats during his time with the big league club this season and is a career .228/.313/.310 hitter in 164 plate appearances at the highest level. He could attract some interest on waivers from teams that are starving for catching depth.

The Cardinals have decided not to expose last offseason’s marquee free agent acquisition to any additional injury risk behind the plate and will go with Andrew Knizner and Tres Barrera handling the catching duties. Contreras, who has had a couple injury scares so far, and is currently dealing with a minor ankle issue, will continue to play everyday between designated hitter and a corner outfield spot, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. The decision could take away some extra at-bats from Nolan Gorman when there isn’t a spot for him in the field.

The struggling Cardinals are apparently going to roll with three catchers moving forward after Willson Conteras hurt his left ankle during Friday’s loss to the Tigers. Barrera reportedly impressed the club during spring training after signing a minor league contract back in January and will get an opportunity at the highest level. The 28-year-old backstop has gotten into 51 games in the majors for the Nationals dating back to 2019.

Barrera was making a really strong impression this spring, but this latest news likely knocks him out of the running to unseat Andrew Knizner as Willson Contreras’s primary backup.

Barrera has made a strong impression on the Cardinals as a non-roster invitee and might get a chance to unseat Knizner to serve as starter Willson Contreras’ primary caddy.

Barrera provides the Cardinals with some extra catching depth this spring in Grapefruit League action. The 28-year-old holds a .231/.317/.315 batting line in 162 major league plate appearances with the Nationals since 2019.