Nats sign veteran Barnes to help fill spring pitching need

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A Nationals club in need of more pitching depth this spring – and perhaps beyond – added another arm to the mix today, signing veteran reliever Jacob Barnes to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp.

Barnes, 33, has considerable experience, having pitched in 265 major league games since 2016 for eight different franchises. His best success came early in with the Brewers, for whom he delivered a 3.93 ERA and 1.359 WHIP in 167 games from 2016-19. He has since pitched for the Royals, Angels, Mets, Blue Jays, Tigers, Yankees and Cardinals.

The right-hander appeared in 13 games for St. Louis late last season, finishing with a 5.93 ERA and 1.537 WHIP. That came after he enjoyed consistent success for the Triple-A affiliates of the Rangers, Phillies and Cardinals, posting a 2.47 ERA and 1.314 WHIP in 35 games.

Barnes, who already has a locker in the Nationals clubhouse, is expected to report in the next day or two and then try to make his case for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

“Another guy we feel like should still have something left in the tank,” manager Davey Martinez said. “We’re going to give him an opportunity. He’ll strengthen our bullpen. He’ll be here soon. I can’t wait to get eyes on him. … Here’s a guy that’s been a competitor. I think he’ll fit right in. You can’t have enough arms. We’re going to give him an opportunity in spring training and see what he can do.”

Mason Thompson’s elbow injury a week before camp opened created some additional need for healthy arms this spring, so Barnes could fill that void. Even with him, there is some concern in the organization there are more innings on the schedule this spring than pitchers available to throw them.

There remains the possibility of more signings over the next few weeks, though general manager Mike Rizzo has said he’s unlikely to add any more starting pitchers on big league deals. Short of that, the Nationals may call up several prospects from minor league camp to pitch innings in early Grapefruit League games before starters are more stretched out.

“We plan on looking at some of those guys as well,” Martinez said. “Some of them will pitch up here. Like I say every spring: I do not want to get anybody hurt. I want to make sure everybody in camp – whether they’re breaking with the major league team or elsewhere – they’re all ready to go when that time comes. But adding arms is always a good thing.”