Barnes was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a left hip impingement, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Barnes was rocked for five runs while recording just one out during Thursday's loss to the Padres, but it appears he might have been pitching hurt. The veteran reliever will be replaced in the bullpen by George Soriano.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Matt Barnes: Opening bullpen game
Rotowire
Barnes will be the first pitcher on the mound Saturday in what will likely be a bullpen game against the Cubs, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
The Marlins had to scratch Bryan Hoeing for undisclosed reasons and will turn the ball over to a collection of relievers. Barnes will technically be making his first start since 2015, but it's unlikely he pitches more than an inning or two.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Matt Barnes: Pitching well to begin year
Rotowire
Barnes struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Guardians.
Jesus Luzardo got the hook with one out in the fifth inning and his club down 4-1, but Barnes kept Miami in the game for another couple frames with an impressive performance. The veteran right-hander hasn't been in the high-leverage mix to begin the season, but that could soon change as he sports a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 9.1 innings to begin his tenure with the Marlins.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Matt Barnes: Clean outing Wednesday
Rotowire
Barnes walked one and struck out one in a scoreless sixth inning during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
The right-hander was the first reliever in the game for the Marlins after Trevor Rogers hit the showers, which in the spring is a spot generally reserved for high-leverage options. Barnes' 6:4 K:BB through 4.2 innings in camp isn't exactly sharp, however, and it's an ominous sign for a pitcher who's posted a walk rate above 11.0 percent in four of the last five seasons. Miami isn't expected to go into 2023 with a set closer, instead mixing and matching among four different late-inning arms, but Dylan Floro still seems to be ahead of Barnes in the pecking order from the right side.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Matt Barnes: Could be part of closing committee
Rotowire
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker indicated Wednesday he doesn't plan on using a traditional closer and will instead play matchups with Barnes and the team's other high-leverage options, Jordan McPherson of The Miami Herald reports. "Our best guys are going to be against their best hitters," Schumaker said.
The 32-year-old right-hander is coming off a shaky season in Boston, but Barnes racked up 24 saves for the Red Sox in 2021. He also piled up 90 holds over a four-year stretch earlier in his career. Dylan Floro, Tanner Scott and fellow offseason addition A.J. Puk also figure to be in the mix for late-inning work in Miami, with Steven Okert (triceps) and JT Chargois potentially options as well. Given the sheer number of viable arms at the manager's disposal, there may not end up being one consistent save source on the Marlins this season, but plenty of fantasy value in formats that count holds as well.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Matt Barnes: Traded to Miami
Rotowire
The Marlins acquired Barnes along with cash considerations from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for left-handed reliever Richard Bleier, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Barnes will move on to a new organization after the Red Sox designated him for assignment last week to clear room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Adam Duvall. While the right-hander is coming off a rough season and is owed $8.38 million for 2023 with an $8 million club option or $2.25 million buyout for 2024, Miami will pay the majority of his salary. Barnes struggled to a 4.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 39.2 innings in 2022, but Miami's decision to take on his salary suggests he could be in line to fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen, even if he doesn't enter the season as the team's preferred option to close games.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Moved off 40-man roster
Rotowire
Barnes was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
This is the corresponding 40-man roster move for Boston's completion of a free-agent agreement with Adam Duvall. Barnes is due $8.375 million in 2023 and carries a $2.25 million buyout on his $8 million club option for 2024, but he gets the boot after struggling to a 4.31 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 34:21 K:BB over 39.2 innings last season. Because of the money owed, Barnes will almost certainly pass through waivers unclaimed. He figures to then move on to another team. Kenley Jansen is the heavy favorite for saves in the Red Sox bullpen leading into the 2023 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Notches eighth save in finale
Rotowire
Barnes pitched a perfect ninth inning on his way to a save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Rays.
Barnes was called upon to protect a 6-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning, setting the Rays down in order for a save, his eighth of the campaign and third in his last three appearances. The right-hander will finish the 2022 season with a 4.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP while striking out 34 batters, and he went 8-for-10 in save chances over 39.2 innings in 44 appearances out of Boston's bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Snags seventh save
Rotowire
Barnes pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit while notching a save in Monday's 4-3 victory against the Rays.
Barnes entered the game in the top of the ninth inning tasked with protecting a 4-3 lead. He was able to work around a one-out triple by Wander Franco to escape with his seventh save of the campaign. Barnes has now produced 11 consecutive scoreless outings since Aug. 31, pitching 10.1 innings while striking out seven batters over that stretch. The right-hander has now gone 7-for-9 on save chances while producing a 4.42 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 34 strikeouts over 38.2 innings in 43 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Earns sixth save
Rotowire
Barnes picked up the save Wednesday in a scoreless ninth inning against the Orioles. He allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout.
Barnes allowed a leadoff single which was quickly erased by a double play, but he proceeded to walk the next batter before striking out Adley Rutschman to end the game. The save was his sixth of the season and first since Sept. 11. He now has a streak of 10 straight appearances without allowing a run dating back to Aug. 31, dropping his ERA from 6.04 to 4.54 in the process.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Slams door for fifth save
Rotowire
Barnes struck out two in a perfect frame to earn a save over the Orioles on Sunday.
Barnes needed just 10 pitches to finish off the 1-0 victory and pick up his first save since Aug. 31. He's now converted five of his seven chances on the year and lowered his ERA to 5.40 through 31.2 frames. Since the start of August, Barnes owns a 15:6 K:BB and a 2.45 ERA across 16 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Can't lock down save
Rotowire
Barnes allowed three hits over a scoreless third of an inning in Saturday's 5-3 win over Texas.
Barnes got the call in a save situation, opening the ninth inning of a 5-3 game, but couldn't lock down the save. He left with the bases loaded, and John Schreiber got the final two outs. Barnes remains in the mix for high-leverage outs and save opportunities, as Tanner Houck (back) will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Secures save Wednesday
Rotowire
Barnes allowed one hit and one walk over one scoreless inning to record a save against the Twins on Wednesday.
Barnes got the ball in the ninth inning with Boston holding a one-run lead and made things interesting, allowing the first two batters he faced to reach base. However, he rebounded to induce a flyout and a double play to successfully convert the save. It was his first opportunity to close in over two weeks, so Barnes is probably still behind Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber in the pecking order. He pitched relatively well in August, posting a 2.92 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB over 12.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Notches third save
Rotowire
Barnes threw a perfect inning to pick up the save Tuesday against the Pirates. He struck out two.
The veteran reliever needed just 10 pitches to take care of the bottom of the Pirates' order and secure his third save of the season. This was his first save since returning from the IL in early August, as manager Alex Cora has turned to Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber for recent save opportunities. The Red Sox closer situation is murky at the moment with any of Whitlock, Schreiber and Barnes in contention for saves, but Barnes still figures to be third in line as he carries a subpar 6.45 ERA and 1.52 WHIP on the season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Escapes self-inflicted jam
Rotowire
Barnes allowed one hit, hit a batter and struck out two over one scoreless inning in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Yankees.
Barnes got himself into a one-out, two-on jam after plunking Aaron Judge, but the right-hander was amped up while walking off the mound after striking out Anthony Rizzo and Josh Donaldson. It was a brief glimpse into the old Barnes -- the All Star of a season ago. This was the second consecutive good outing for Barnes, who has allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings since being activated off the injured list. With Boston's bullpen in turmoil, the old Barnes would be a big help.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Officially reinstated Thursday
Rotowire
Barnes (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Barnes has been sidelined by the shoulder issue since late May and has been cleared to rejoin the big-league roster after an eight-game rehab assignment in the minors. The veteran right-hander surrendered seven earned runs across 7.2 innings with Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland. Barnes had a 7.94 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14:12 K:BB across 17 frames prior to the injury and will likely fill a low-leverage role now that he's healthy.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Return imminent
Rotowire
Barnes (shoulder) might be activated next week, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Barnes is rehabbing with Double-A Portland and appeared for the Sea Dogs on Friday, the second of back-to-back outings for the right-hander. He hit 96 mph during Thursday's appearance and could provide a boost to Boston's bullpen, which ranks 25th in ERA (4.25) and leads the majors in blown saves (21).
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Perfect in Portland
Rotowire
Barnes (shoulder) retired all three batters he faced, including two by strikeout, in the fourth inning for Double-A Portland on Thursday.
Barnes made his seventh rehab outing Thursday and is seemingly close to returning to the majors. The organization has scheduled him to throw back-to-back days so he's expected to appear Friday as well, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. When relievers on rehab pitch back-to-back days, that's typically the final step before their activation.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Continues rehab assignment
Rotowire
Barnes (shoulder) will continue his rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.
Barnes has already made five rehab outings between rookie ball and Triple-A Worcester, and he'll continue the minor-league assignment Tuesday with Portland. Manager Alex Cora said the veteran right-hander is also scheduled to pitch back-to-back days Friday and Saturday, which could be the final hurdle before he is reinstated from the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Matt Barnes: Rehabs at Worcester
Rotowire
Barnes (shoulder) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.
Barnes was feeling good Saturday following the appearance, according to Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican. "At least stuff-wise, it was good," Boston manager Alex Cora said about Barnes, adding the righty's fastball was at 94-95 mph. "Physically, he was good. So that's a good sign." This was Barnes' fourth rehab outing after making three appearances for the club's rookie-level affiliate in the Florida Complex League.
