Nationals DFA One-Time All-Star Red Sox Closer

He was once an All-Star closer with the Boston Red Sox. But now, after struggling to a 6.75 ERA this season with the Washington Nationals, right-handed reliever Matt Barnes has been designated for assignment.

Former Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes has been DFA'd by the Nationals. https://t.co/N7EwiDzvh8
— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) May 7, 2024

The 34-year-old was on a minor league contract at Spring Training with the Nats and won a job with the big club after tossing five scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play.

But things haven't gone so well for Barnes this season, as he's pitched to a 6.75 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 13 innings. He struck out 10 and walked four.

Barnes was an All-Star in 2021 when he served as the Red Sox closer for much of the season and picked up 24 saves. He was pulled from the roll, however, in August after a series of bad outings.

It's been all downhill for Barnes since then, as he posted a 4.31 ERA with the BoSox the next season while suffering from a shoulder injury, then spent 2023 with the Miami Marlins, struggling to a 5.48 ERA, and missing the second half of the season due to hip surgery. Due to those circumstances, he was forced to accept a minor league deal with the Nats this spring, and now he'll be hoping for another team to give him a shot somewhere.