Barnes elected to become a free agent Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes cleared waivers after being removed from the Blue Jays' 40-man roster, but he's opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The veteran reliever holds a 9.00 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB through eight innings this season and will now look to latch on in another organization.

Toronto designated Barnes for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes' removal from the 40-man roster was one of a series of Toronto moves involving relievers Sunday, as fellow righties Paxton Schultz and Dillon Tate were summoned from the minors and righty Nick Sandlin (lat) was placed on the 15-day IL. It's been a rough season so far for Barnes, who has a 9.00 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 5:3 K:BB through eight innings across six appearances.

The Blue Jays selected Barnes' contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite attending camp as a non-roster invitee and posting a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 6:3 K:BB over 5.1 innings in the Grapefruit League, Barnes was able to win a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen. He'll likely be ticketed for lower-leverage work.

Barnes is expected to be a part of Toronto's Opening Day roster, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes will open the year with Toronto's major-league roster after signing a minor-league deal with the team in February. The right-hander appeared in six games this spring, including one start, surrendering four earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 innings.

The Blue Jays signed Barnes to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes spent the 2024 campaign with the Nationals, holding a 4.36 ERA and 55:20 K:BB over 66 innings. The 34-year-old will compete for a spot in the Toronto bullpen but will likely begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.

Barnes (8-2) blew the save but picked up the win Sunday over Atlanta, allowing a solo home run in the sixth inning.

EDGE Analysis

The journeyman right-hander had never won more than three games coming into 2024, but Barnes was in the right place at the right time once again Sunday. He coughed up a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Matt Olson blast, but the Nationals immediately reclaimed the lead in the top of the seventh and never looked back. Since the All-Star break, Barnes has gone 3-0 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.02 WHIP an d 19:4 K:BB in 19.2 innings.

Barnes (3-2) was credited with the win Sunday over Atlanta, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless inning of relief.

EDGE Analysis

DJ Herz got the start but lasted only 4.1 innings, and Barnes was the next pitcher on the mound with the Nationals ahead 7-2. The 34-year-old right-hander has been inconsistent in a low-leverage role, posting a 4.35 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 20.2 innings, and he has zero holds or saves in 20 appearances.

The Nationals selected Barnes' contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes nearly won a spot with a strong spring and had tossed eight scoreless innings with a 10:2 K:BB at Rochester to earn a promotion. The 34-year-old veteran will operate in middle relief.

The Nationals reassigned Barnes to minor-league camp Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes pitched well this spring but still wasn't able to crack the Opening Day bullpen. It's not clear whether he plans to opt out of his contract or report to Triple-A Rochester to begin the season.

Barnes signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes' most recent big-league experience came with the Cardinals last year, as he held a 5.93 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with eight strikeouts over 13.2 innings. The veteran reliever will provide the Nationals with some experienced depth.