Matt Barnes, ex-Miami Marlins bullpen pitcher, agrees to a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.
According to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, free-agent relief pitcher Matt Barnes has reached an agreement on a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. The deal is currently awaiting completion of a physical examination.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com previously reported progress in negotiations between Barnes and the Nationals on Monday. Barnes, who spent the 2023 season with the Miami Marlins, had his $9 million club option declined by the Marlins in November after undergoing significant hip surgery in July, preventing him from pitching after June 1.
In January, reports surfaced that Barnes, a first-time free agent, was set to showcase his skills in front of MLB teams. Despite being just nine months removed from surgery, he received positive feedback.
The Boston Red Sox drafted Barnes in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, and he made his major league debut in 2014. He became a key late-game reliever for the Red Sox, contributing to their 2018 World Series victory. In 2021, Barnes transitioned to the closer role and earned his first All-Star appearance, but his performance declined, leading to a designation for assignment after the 2022 season.
The Marlins acquired Barnes in a trade last winter, and he performed well in the initial two months of the 2023 season, posting a 3.43 ERA through May 28. However, a challenging outing on April 27 inflated his season ERA to 5.48. His campaign concluded on June 1 after giving up five earned runs in a single game, resulting in a 1-0 record with a 5.48 ERA, 1.641 WHIP, and a -0.1 WAR.
Throughout his career, Barnes has accumulated a record of 33-30 with a 4.13 ERA, 1.355 WHIP, 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings, and a 4.3 WAR. If Barnes secures a spot on the MLB roster, the 33-year-old right-hander could strengthen a Washington bullpen that ranked 27th in baseball with a 5.02 ERA in 2023.
The Nationals had previously added Dylan Floro, a former Marlins teammate of Barnes, via free agency or trade, but Floro has been dealing with a shoulder injury in Spring Training. Additionally, Mason Thompson, who pitched 54.0 innings with Washington in the previous year, may face an extended absence due to an elbow injury.
