Nationals Reportedly Sign Ex-Cardinals Pitcher To Minor League Contract

Washington is taking a chance on the former Cardinals pitcher

It sounds like the Washington Nationals are taking a chance on a former member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Former Cardinals pitcher Jacob Barnes elected free agency at the end of the 2023 season and has been looking for his next opportunity. He reportedly has found one and will be joining the Nationals on a minor league contract, according to MASN Sports' Mark Zuckerman.  

"Source: Nationals have signed (right-handed pitcher) Jacob Barnes to a minor-league deal," Zuckerman said. "33-year reliever has made 265 career appearances with 8 (Major League Baseball) clubs, including Cardinals last year."

Barnes has been a journeyman throughout his professional baseball career. He was selected in the 14th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He worked his way up through the Brewers' farm system and eventually made his big league debut with the team in 2016.

The righty spent the three-plus seasons of his big league career with Milwaukee and has bounced around ever since. He has seen time with the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Cardinals ever since at the major league level. 

Barnes had a roller coaster of a 2023 campaign. He began the season in the minor leagues in the Texas Rangers organization but was released. Barnes quickly latched on with the Philadelphia Phillies on a minor league deal. 

The righty got released by Philadelphia and signed with St. Louis. Barnes appeared in 11 games with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and had a 1.53 ERA. He was called up to the Cardinals and had a 5.93 ERA in 13 appearances. 

St. Louis took Barnes off the 40-man roster and was sent outright to the minors, but he opted for free agency instead.

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