Barnes started for Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, his first start in 12 days, and allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out seven in four innings. He threw just 79 pitches. Barnes had his season in the minors interrupted briefly by a trip up to Boston where he pitched two innings of relief last week. He had a slow ramp up as a starter in Pawtucket because he was used as a reliever in training camp and was a candidate to head north with Boston right up until the final spring-training weekend.

Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reports. Barnes covered two scoreless innings in relief in Saturday's game against the Orioles, but it appears manager John Farrell prioritized having a fresh arm available rather than allowing the right-hander to build on his success. Heath Hembree was recalled from Pawtucket in a corresponding move and should be available if needed Sunday.

Barnes was recalled from Triple-A prior to Saturday's game, the Boston Herald's Michael Silverman reports. Barnes will be used exclusively out of the bullpen, as manager John Farrell said he has been leaning too heavily on Junichi Tazawa so far this season. He may only be up for a short stay while the bullpen gets back to normal, as Barnes had been continuing to develop as a starter at Triple-A prior to the call-up.

Barnes allowed three runs on two hits and three walks in three innings for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday. After allowing three runs in the first inning, he settled in for a couple of easy innings. Technically, Barnes pitched Monday but the game was postponed after three innings due to rain. He obviously did not come back to throw Tuesday. He was used as a reliever in spring training, never throwing more than two innings in his appearances, so he's not yet stretched out.

Barnes will be stretched out as a starter at Triple-A Pawtucket, WEEI.com reports. Barnes was one of the final roster cuts in spring training. He was being considered for a spot in Boston's bullpen, but other relievers started performing better and the need for Barnes in the bullpen was less dire.

Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. Barnes was a candidate to earn a bullpen spot with the Red Sox out of camp, but will instead begin the season in Triple-A. However, he remains one of the top replacement candidates should a member of the current bullpen suffer an injury.

Barnes (illness) is on track to pitch in a Grapefruit League game Thursday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. Barnes was scratched from Tuesday's start due to a bout of food poisoning, but it looks like he's nearly recovered from the episode. He's still looking to claim one of the available spots in Boston's Opening Day bullpen.

An improvement in the quality of his curveball has made Barnes (illness) a more effective pitcher, the Providence Journal reports. Barnes opened eyes with a mid-90s fastball that generates swings-and-misses, but without the secondary stuff, he would probably not be a top-flight starter. But he's developed a curveball that works off the same arm slot as the fastball, making it a more deceptive pitch for batters.

Barnes (illness) if feeling better after taking a couple of days off, the Boston Globe reports. He had a bout of food poisoning that prevented him from pitching the last couple of days. The fact we're this late into training camp and Barnes hasn't been stretched out yet suggests he still has a shot at making Boston's roster as a reliever.

Barnes (illness) has been scratched from Tuesday's scheduled start, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. Barnes came down with a case of food poisoning, and the team said he'll now have to throw on the side before getting into a game. Barnes remains in the mix for a potential bullpen spot to start the year.