Cardinals' Jose Barrero: Invited to Cardinals' camp
Rotowire
Barrero signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Saturday and received an invitation to spring training, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Barrero owns just a .497 OPS across 447 plate appearances in his major-league career, and his offensive woes followed him to Triple-A last season, where he slashed .188/.277/.345 over 49 games. His chances of contributing for the Cardinals will remain low as long as he continues to struggle at the plate, though the 26-year-old may still see a healthy amount of playing time with Triple-A Memphis.
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Rangers' Jose Barrero: Moved off 40-man roster
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Barrero was outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday after clearing waivers, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.
Barrero will end up staying in the Texas organization and should see plenty of playing time at Round Rock this season as he makes the full-time transition to the outfield after spending most of his career to date as an infielder.
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Rangers' Jose Barrero: Waived by Reds, claimed by Rangers
Rotowire
The Reds placed Barrero on waivers Saturday, and the utility player was claimed by the Rangers on the same day.
Barrero split his time last season between Triple-A Louisville and the Reds and slashed .218/.295/.323 with two home runs and 17 RBI over 149 plate appearances in the majors. He made the move to the outfield this spring after spending most of his career at shortstop, though he did play center field in 17 games for Cincinnati last season. Barrero will now look to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in Texas for 2024.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Switching to outfield
Rotowire
Barrero, a one-time shortstop prospect, is attempting to earn a roster spot exclusively as an outfielder, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Barrero started in right field Sunday and launched a home run in three plate appearances. He's made four Cactus League appearances -- three starts in right field and one in center. "I feel comfortable out there," Barrero said. "I'm glad that this organization has been giving me the opportunity to play several different positions in my time here." The Reds introduced him to the outfield in 2023, when he made 17 appearances in center field.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Barrero was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Barrero will head to Louisville after spending the entirety of the 2023 campaign with the Reds to this point. He's struggled to a .218/.295/.323 slash line over 46 games, and with Nick Senzel (knee) being activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Barrero was the odd man out on the major-league roster. The 25-year-old will look to get into a groove with Louisville before potentially being recalled later this summer.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Out of lineup again Sunday
Rotowire
Barrero is not in the starting lineup versus the Brewers on Sunday.
Barrero is opening the game on the bench for the third straight game. The25-year-old will take a seat again with Will Benson getting the start in center and hitting eighth against Adrian Houser and the Reds.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Sitting Saturday
Rotowire
Barrero isn't starting Saturday against the Brewers.
Barrero will sit out his second consecutive game after going 4-for-17 with a home run and five RBI across his last five contests. Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild and Jake Fraley will start from left to right in Cincy's outfield Saturday.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Sitting Friday
Rotowire
Barrero is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Brewers.
Barrero will take a seat after he went 2-for-8 with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored over a three-game series with the Red Sox. Stuart Fairchild will slide over to center field while Will Benson enters the lineup in left field and bats eighth in the series opener with Milwaukee.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Slugs first career slam
Rotowire
Barrero went 2-for-2 with a walk and a grand slam in Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Red Sox.
The 25-year-old began the game on the bench, but when TJ Friedl (hamstring) checked out early, Barrero took over in center field and gave the Reds what proved to be crucial insurance runs when he drove a Joely Rodriguez sinker off a light standard above the Green Monster in the seventh inning. It's his first career grand slam and only his second homer in 39 games this season, and while Cincy is trying to find ways to keep him in the lineup now that Matt McLain has taken over the starting shortstop role, Barrero and his mediocre .235/.313/.353 slash line could get bumped back to Triple-A when the team finally decides to promote Elly De La Cruz.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Getting start in center field
Rotowire
Barrero is starting in center field and batting ninth for the Reds on Friday against the Yankees.
It's the first start in center field this month for Barrero, who has ceded his shortstop job to Matt McLain. Barrero sports just a .652 OPS on the season, although he did reach base four times in his last start.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Expected to fade into bench role
Rotowire
Barrero is expected to cede the Reds' everyday shortstop duties to Matt McLain, who will be called up from Triple-A Louisville ahead of Monday's game against the Rockies, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
Even while McLain had been in the minors, Barrero was already beginning to lose traction as the Reds' clear-cut top shortstop, as both he and Kevin Newman had made three starts apiece at the position over the past six games. Neither Barrero nor Newman have impressed defensively at shortstop this season, and while McLain isn't regarded as a polished defender at the position either and probably profiles as a second baseman over the long haul, the Reds are hoping the toolsy 23-year-old can provide an offensive upgrade over Barrero (.618 OPS in 104 plate appearances) and Newman (.596 OPS in 99 plate appearances). Newman is likely to remain a utility infielder once McLain's call-up is official, and though Barrero has a minor-league option remaining, the Reds may prefer to keep him on hand as insurance in center field while TJ Friedl is day-to-day with an oblique injury.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Sits for series finale
Rotowire
Barrero is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.
Barrero went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 6-5 win, but he also struck out three times and is now sitting on a 28.8 percent strikeout rate for the season. He's posted a modest .588 OPS over his last 15 games and could begin to lose work at shortstop to Kevin Newman, who will replace him in the lineup for the second time in four games.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Day off Thursday
Rotowire
Barrero is not in the starting lineup Thursday versus the Mets.
Barrero will take a seat after he went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's contest, dropping his season-long batting average to .218. Kevin Newman will take over at shortstop and bat eighth in the series finale with New York.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Not starting Friday
Rotowire
Barrero isn't in the Reds' lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.
With just a .588 OPS over his last five games, Barrero will take a seat to begin Friday's contest. Kevin Newman will take over for him at shortstop and bat eighth.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Hits bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Barrero is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Barrero had been scheduled to receive the day off Tuesday, but he was ultimately added to the lineup late as a replacement for Wil Myers (neck) and proceeded to 0-for-3 with a walk and a run in the Reds' 7-6 win. With Myers back in action for Wednesday's series finale, Barrero will now get a chance to rest.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Late addition to lineup
Rotowire
Updating a previous report, Barrero will start at designated hitter and bat eighth in Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Barrero was scheduled to get Tuesday off, but he'll end up starting after all due to Wil Myers (neck) being scratched from the lineup. Tyler Stephenson had been on track to serve as the Reds' designated hitter but will instead draw the start at first base while Myers is on the bench.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Not in lineup Tuesday
Rotowire
Barrero is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rangers.
Kevin Newman will get the start at shortstop and bat sixth versus the Rangers and left-hander Martin Perez. Barrero is slashing just .228/.308/.316 through 65 plate appearances this year for the Reds, though it's not like Newman has been any better.
Barrero is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's contest against the Phillies.
Barrero has been seeing regular playing time for the Reds as of late, but the 25-year-old will take a seat for Sunday's finale against Philadelphia. Kevin Newman will handle shortstop duties and hit eighth.
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Reds' Jose Barrero: Gaining traction in everyday role
Rotowire
Barrero will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Wednesday's game versus Atlanta.
After going 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 loss, Barrero will stick in the lineup for the third game in a row. At least for the time being, Barrero appears to have wrested the primary shortstop job away from Kevin Newman.
