The Nationals optioned Barrera to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera's demotion comes after the Nationals had their game Wednesday against the Phillies postponed due to 12 positive COVID-19 cases within the Washington organization. Since Barrera is being optioned rather than placed on the COVID-19 injured list, he seemingly isn't one of the four players who has reportedly tested positive for the virus. Instead, the Nationals' decision to send Barrera back to the minors could signal that one of the team's two injured catchers -- Yan Gomes (oblique) and Alex Avila (calf) -- may be ready to return from the IL when Washington and Philadelphia return to action Thursday with a doubleheader. Barrera had been serving as Washington's No. 1 backstop since the All-Star break, slashing .323/.382/.484 through 10 second-half games.

Barrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera gets a much-needed day off after he went 7-for-23 with three extra-base hits (one home run, two doubles) while catching in each of the Nationals' last six games. Rene Rivera will replace him behind the dish Sunday, but Barrera should continue to see the bulk of the starts at the position until one of Yan Gomes (oblique) or Alex Avila (calf) returns from the injured list.

Barrera went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and another run scored during Monday's win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera collected his first career long ball with a 410-footer against Ross Detwiler in the second inning. The 26-year-old backstop has seen an uptick in playing time with Yan Gomes (oblique) and Alex Avila (calf) on the shelf. Across eight games so far, he's hitting .304/.360/.522.

Barrera is not in the lineup Friday against the Padres, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera has been seeing plenty of action with Yan Gomes (oblique) and Alex Avila (calf) sidelined, but he won't start the first game of the second half. Rene Rivera signed with the Nationals earlier in the day and will start Friday. Barrera and Rivera should split playing time behind the plate until Gomes or Avila is healthy.

Barrera went 2-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and two RBI in Friday's loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

After replacing Yan Gomes (oblique) behind the plate for the bottom of the second inning, Barrera proceeded to be one of the few bright spots for the Nats in a 5-3 loss. With Alex Avila (calf) still on the IL, Barrera could find himself starting for Washington over the final two games before the All-Star break and potentially seeing a significant role after the break as well.

Barrera was recalled by the Nationals on Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera has appeared in 37 games with Triple-A Rochester to begin the season, and he slashed .224/.324/.345 with three home runs, 14 RBI and 11 runs. He'll now rejoin the major-league roster and should serve in a depth role at catcher after Alex Avila (calf) was placed on the injured list Saturday.

Barrera was optioned to Washington's taxi squad on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old was added to the roster last week following Washington's COVID-19 outbreak, but he'll move to the taxi squad with the team returning four players Friday. Barrera appeared in one game and went 0-for-2 for the Nationals.

Barrera will be recalled from the Nationals' alternate site prior to Thursday's season opener against the Mets, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo revealed earlier Wednesday that one Washington player tested positive for COVID-19, with four of teammates and a staff member having since been identified as close contacts. Washington is expected to add five replacement players to the 26-man roster as a result, and Barrera's call-up would seem to suggest that at least one of the team's two catchers -- Yan Gomes and Alex Avila -- has been ruled out for Opening Day. Assuming one of Gomes or Avila is cleared to play Thursday, Barrera likely won't see much use as the No. 2 catcher during his time on the active roster.

Barrera (suspension) was reinstated from the restricted list Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera was originally hit with an 80-game ban after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, but he evidently had his suspension reduced to just 60 games. He could potentially push for playing time as a backup catcher next season, though he's played in just two big-league games and none at the Triple-A level.

Barrera was suspended 80 games Saturday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barrera wasn't expected to serve on the Nationals' major-league roster this season, but he'll be forced to sit out the entire 2020 campaign and part of next season. The catcher played most of the 2019 season with Double-A Harrisburg, where he hit .249/.323/.381 with eight home runs and 46 RBI.