Barnes declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester and elected free agency Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

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.

The Nationals outrighted Barnes to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Barnes was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Barnes struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Barnes signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

The Marlins declined Barnes' (hip) $9 million option for 2024 on Sunday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Barnes (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Barnes will undergo surgery on his left hip July 25, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be about three months before Barnes is cleared for running and throwing, which means his season is essentially over. A move to the 60-day IL is inevitable, and he'll finish 2023 with a 5.48 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 21.1 innings.