Barnes declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester and elected free agency Thursday.
The veteran reliever cleared waivers after Washington designated him for assignment earlier this week, but he will look for a job elsewhere rather than reporting to Rochester. Barnes put up an unsightly 6.75 ERA and 10:4 K:BB across 13.1 frames for the Nationals prior to being dropped from the 40-man roster and might be hard-pressed to find an organization willing to give him a major-league deal.
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Nationals' Matt Barnes: Outrighted to minors
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The Nationals outrighted Barnes to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.
Barnes looks as though he'll stick around in the Nationals organization after he went unclaimed off waivers upon being designated for assignment earlier this week. The right-hander was cast off the 40-man roster after turning in a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 13.1 innings out of the Washington bullpen this season.
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Nationals' Matt Barnes: Removed from 40-man roster
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Washington designated Barnes for assignment Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Barnes made the team as a non-roster invitee but didn't pitch well, posting a 6.75 ERA and 10:4 K:BB across 13.1 frames. The veteran reliever will likely clear waivers and could decline a potential outright assignment and elect free agency if he wants.
The Nationals selected Barnes to the major-league roster Sunday.
The veteran right-hander signed as a non-roster invitee early in camp and pitched well in Grapefruit League action with three strikeouts and no walks over 3.2 scoreless frames. Barnes struggled to a 5.48 ERA in 24 outings for Miami last season and should begin 2024 in a middle-relief role, though his experience as a closer makes him a logical option for higher-leverage spots with a strong start to the campaign.
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Nationals' Matt Barnes: Getting up to speed quickly
Rotowire
Barnes struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.
The veteran right-hander entered the game for the sixth inning and fanned Francisco Alvarez and Ji-Man Choi, needing only 12 pitches (seven strikes) to breeze through the frame. Barnes signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals in late February, but he's making a good case for a bullpen spot and has retired all six batters he's faced in his two spring appearances. With Dylan Floro (shoulder) running out of time to get ready for Opening Day, Barnes might be the backup plan.
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Nationals' Matt Barnes: Lands with Nats on MiLB deal
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Barnes signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Barnes missed much of the 2023 season following hip surgery and had just a 5.48 ERA in 24 appearances before the operation. The veteran reliever is now healthy and looking for a bounce-back year. Barring another injury, Barnes should make the Nats' Opening Day roster.
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Matt Barnes: Soon throwing for teams
Rotowire
Barnes (hip) has recovered from offseason hip surgery and is expected to throw for MLB teams within the next week, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
The veteran right-hander had a 5.48 ERA in 24 outings for Miami before undergoing hip surgery last summer, and he apparently required another procedure after the club declined his 2024 option in November. Barnes recorded 24 saves with a 3.79 ERA for the Red Sox in 2021 but has struggled over the past two seasons.
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Matt Barnes: Option declined
Rotowire
The Marlins declined Barnes' (hip) $9 million option for 2024 on Sunday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
Barnes will be paid a $2.25 buyout instead as he heads into free agency. The veteran reliever posted a 5.48 ERA over just 24 appearances this season before undergoing season-ending hip surgery in July. It's not clear when he might be ready to pitch in games again.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Moves to 60-day IL
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Barnes (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Barnes underwent surgery on his left hip Tuesday and is likely to be out for the rest of the season. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list to create space on the 40-man roster for David Robertson, whom the Marlins acquired from the Mets on Thursday.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Needs surgery, likely done for '23
Rotowire
Barnes will undergo surgery on his left hip July 25, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
According to McPherson, Barnes won't be cleared for running and throwing until three months following his surgery, which effectively means that his season is over. A move to the 60-day injured list seems inevitable should the Marlins need to open a spot on the 40-man roster at some point, and he'll finish the 2023 campaign with a 5.48 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 21.1 innings. Given that Miami holds a $9 million club option on the right-hander for 2024 with a $2.75 million buyout, it's possible he's pitched his last game for the club.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Works scoreless inning in rehab
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Barnes (hip) struck out a batter and gave up no hits and one walk in a scoreless inning during his rehab appearance Tuesday for the Marlins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.
Barnes pitched a clean inning without much issue in what marked his first appearance at any level since June 1 after he landed on the injured list with a left hip impingement. The right-hander may require another minor-league appearance or two before the Marlins are comfortable adding him back to the MLB bullpen.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Throws bullpen session
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Barnes (hip) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Thursday marks Barnes' first bullpen session since landing on the injured list June 2 with a left hip impingement. He'll presumably throw another few sessions before beginning a rehab assignment in the coming weeks.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Playing catch
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Barnes (hip) has resumed playing catch, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Barnes has been out nearly all month with a left hip impingement but is slowly easing back into a throwing program. He'll likely need a rehab appearance or two before returning from the 15-day injured list.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Heads to IL with hip injury
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Barnes was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left hip impingement, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Barnes was rocked for five runs while recording just one out during Thursday's loss to the Padres, but it appears he might have been pitching hurt. The veteran reliever will be replaced in the bullpen by George Soriano.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Opening bullpen game
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Barnes will be the first pitcher on the mound Saturday in what will likely be a bullpen game against the Cubs, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
The Marlins had to scratch Bryan Hoeing for undisclosed reasons and will turn the ball over to a collection of relievers. Barnes will technically be making his first start since 2015, but it's unlikely he pitches more than an inning or two.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Pitching well to begin year
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Barnes struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Guardians.
Jesus Luzardo got the hook with one out in the fifth inning and his club down 4-1, but Barnes kept Miami in the game for another couple frames with an impressive performance. The veteran right-hander hasn't been in the high-leverage mix to begin the season, but that could soon change as he sports a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings to begin his tenure with the Marlins.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Clean outing Wednesday
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Barnes walked one and struck out one in a scoreless sixth inning during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
The right-hander was the first reliever in the game for the Marlins after Trevor Rogers hit the showers, which in the spring is a spot generally reserved for high-leverage options. Barnes' 6:4 K:BB through 4.2 innings in camp isn't exactly sharp, however, and it's an ominous sign for a pitcher who's posted a walk rate above 11.0 percent in four of the last five seasons. Miami isn't expected to go into 2023 with a set closer, instead mixing and matching among four different late-inning arms, but Dylan Floro still seems to be ahead of Barnes in the pecking order from the right side.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Could be part of closing committee
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Marlins manager Skip Schumaker indicated Wednesday he doesn't plan on using a traditional closer and will instead play matchups with Barnes and the team's other high-leverage options, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports. "Our best guys are going to be against their best hitters," Schumaker said.
The 32-year-old right-hander is coming off a shaky season in Boston, but Barnes racked up 24 saves for the Red Sox in 2021. He also piled up 90 holds over a four-year stretch earlier in his career. Dylan Floro, Tanner Scott and fellow offseason addition A.J. Puk also figure to be in the mix for late-inning work in Miami, with Steven Okert (triceps) and JT Chargois potentially options as well. Given the sheer number of viable arms at the manager's disposal, there may not end up being one consistent save source on the Marlins this season, but plenty of fantasy value in formats that count holds as well.
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Marlins' Matt Barnes: Traded to Miami
Rotowire
The Marlins acquired Barnes along with cash considerations from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for left-handed reliever Richard Bleier, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Barnes will move on to a new organization after the Red Sox designated him for assignment last week to clear room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Adam Duvall. While the right-hander is coming off a rough season and is owed $8.38 million for 2023 with an $8 million club option or $2.25 million buyout for 2024, Miami will pay the majority of his salary. Barnes struggled to a 4.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 39.2 innings in 2022, but Miami's decision to take on his salary suggests he could be in line to fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen, even if he doesn't enter the season as the team's preferred option to close games.
