Barrera signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera has been given an invitation to major-league spring training. The 28-year-old has seen big-league action in bits and pieces with the Nationals, collecting a .631 OPS in 162 plate appearances. He's likely to open 2023 at Triple-A Memphis.

Barrera rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester and elected free agency Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera was removed from the Nationals' 40-man roster Thursday and will test free agency rather than report to Triple-A. The 28-year-old played in 19 big-league games last season and had a .180/.212/.200 slash line in 53 plate appearances.

Barrera cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera served as a reserve catcher for Washington at times in 2022 and went 9-for-50 in 19 games. He won't stick on the 40-man roster through the offseason and is likely to open 2023 back at Triple-A.

The Nationals recalled Barrera from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The addition of Barrera gives the Nationals a third catcher, which will perhaps allow the team to build in more rest days for No. 1 backstop Keibert Ruiz while allowing Riley Adams to pick up some work as a designated hitter. Barrera appeared in 14 games for Washington earlier in 2022, batting .182 with four RBI and two runs.

Barrera is expected to be called up by the Phillies on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera was sent to Triple-A Rochester last week, but he'll rejoin the major-league club to begin the month of September since active rosters will expand from 26 to 28 players. Over 14 big-league games this year, the 27-year-old has hit just .182 with a double, four RBI, two runs, two walks and 11 strikeouts.

Barrera was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera has served as the Nationals' backup catcher since early July, but he posted a paltry .441 OPS in 35 plate appearances over 14 games, so the team decided to send him back to Triple-A for the time being. It remains to be seen who will replace Barrera on Washington's roster, but Riley Adams is the most likely option.

Barrera went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old has only started two of 10 games so far in August as Keibert Ruiz continues to get most of the work behind the plate. Since joining the big-league roster in early July, Barrera hasn't made a compelling case for a bigger role, going 5-for-27 (.185) with a double, four RBI and a 31.0 percent strikeout rate.

Barrera went 1-for-2 with two RBI in Saturday's loss to Miami.

EDGE Analysis

His two RBI came on a single in the second inning that saw Nelson Cruz and Lane Thomas cross the plate before Barrera advanced to second base on a throwing error -- the Marlins' third error of the inning. It was the catcher's first appearance this season, but it should give him confidence going forward after picking up a hit and two RBI. Barrera is the new backup behind Keibert Ruiz after Riley Adams was demoted.

Barrera was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera will join the big league roster ahead of Friday's series opener versus the Marlins. He'll be set to make his season debut with the Nationals after he has posted a .256 average with seven homers, 24 RBI and 25 runs over 164 at-bats in 51 games with Rochester this year. Riley Adams was sent down to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Nationals optioned Barrera to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera's demotion sets the stage for top catching prospect Keibert Ruiz to join the Nationals' 26-man roster ahead of Monday's series opener with the Phillies. Ruiz's arrival will leave fewer opportunities to go around for Riley Adams, who had been handling the larger portion of a timeshare behind the plate with Barrera. Over 107 plate appearances with the big club this season, Barrera has hit .264 with two home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs.