Blue Jays sign Barnes
The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with RHP Jacob Barnes on a Minor League contract with an invite to 2025 Major League Spring Training.
Barnes, 34, made 63 appearances out of the Nationals bullpen in 2024, the 2nd most in his career (73 in 2017), recording a 4.36 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP, a 7.2% walk rate, and a 19.9% strikeout rate. The right-hander from St. Petersburg, FL, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, making his MLB debut with the club in 2016, and is returning to the Blue Jays organization after making 10 appearances for the team in 2021. The 6-2, 231 lb. reliever has made a total of 328 MLB appearances across nine seasons, posting a 4.68 ERA in 328.2 innings with a 4.18 FIP, a 9.2% walk rate, and a 22.2% strikeout rate with the Brewers, Royals, Angels, Mets, Blue Jays, Tigers, Yankees, Cardinals, and Nationals.