Barnette announced via Instagram on Tuesday he is retiring from professional baseball.
The Cubs declined Barnette's $3 million club option for 2020 in November after a 2019 season in which he pitched in two major-league games. The 36-year-old missed the first couple months of the season with a shoulder injury and moved to the restricted list to mull over his career options after being sent to the minors in late June. Barnette will finish his career with a 3.53 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 132:43 K:BB across 145.1 innings in four seasons with the Rangers and Cubs.
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Tony Barnette: Team option declined
Rotowire
Barnette's (personal) $3 million team option on his contract was declined by the Cubs on Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
The 35-year-old was placed on the restricted list at the beginning of July after being sent to the minors in order to figure out the next step in his career. Barnette never returned to Triple-A Iowa, and the team's decision to decline his option isn't very surprising. If the right-hander decides to continue playing, his best fit would likely be as a middle reliever after posting a 4.55 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP over the past three seasons. Even if he does return to the majors, Barnette holds little fantasy value due to his lackluster strikeout numbers and ineffectiveness in limiting run production.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Placed on restricted list
Rotowire
Barnette was placed on the restricted list Monday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Barnette was demoted to the minor leagues Wednesday, so he'll take some time away from the game to consider his options moving forward. "He's trying to figure out the next step," stated general manager Jed Hoyer. "We're certainly willing to give him the time to do that. He's a pro and a really good dude. He's at that point in his career where he wants to think things over."
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Sent to minors
Rotowire
Barnette was optioned to Triple-A Iowa after Wednesday's loss to the Braves, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Barnette delivered a scoreless inning Wednesday but will head to Triple-A in order to make room for the much-anticipated arrival of Craig Kimbrel. Barnette was activated off the 60-day injured list Sunday and allowed one run over 1.1 innings during his brief time in the majors. The 35-year-old is a likely candidate to return when the Cubs are inevitably forced to shuffle their bullpen arms.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Primed for debut with Cubs
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) was activated off the 60-day injured list Sunday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Barnette signed a one-year deal with the Cubs this offseason but has yet to pitch this season due to the right shoulder sprain. The 35-year-old had a 2.39 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB over 26.1 innings with the Rangers last season before being shut down with the shoulder injury.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Rehab starting Saturday
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Barnette had begun a rehab assignment in late April before suffering a setback. His rehab may not be a short one as he's been on the injured list since the start of the season.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: To pitch in extended spring
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) will pitch in an extended spring training game Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Barnette is on the 60-day injured list after experiencing a setback in his recovery from a shoulder sprain. His target return date is unclear.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Moving to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday because he is still experiencing tightness in his shoulder, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Barnette began a minor-league rehab assignment April 21, but the assignment has since been halted given the persistence of the shoulder issue. The 35-year-old's return timeline following the setback remains unclear, though he'll be eligible to be activated towards the end of May.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Makes first rehab appearance
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, retiring two of the four batters he faced while giving up one run on a walk and one hit. He also hit a batter during the 20-pitch outing.
Shut down most of the spring with a sprained right shoulder, Barnette received clearance for minor-league work after experiencing no issues during his recent live batting practice sessions. He looked rusty in his initial game action and will likely require at least a few more appearances at Triple-A before the Cubs are comfortable bringing him back from the 10-day injured list. Barnette will likely fill a lower-leverage role out of the bullpen once activated.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Throwing live batting practice
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) has been throwing live batting practice at the Cubs' spring training facility, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
A shoulder strain ended Barnette's 2018 campaign in early July, and the issue carried through the offseason to delay his spring preparation. He's working his way back and facing live hitters but has yet to get any game action on a rehab assignment.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Nearing rehab assignment
Rotowire
President of baseball operations Theo Epstein said Monday that Barnette (shoulder) is close to beginning a rehab assignment, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Barnette had already resumed mound work at the conclusion of spring training, so he's presumably advanced to facing hitters in live batting practice at this stage of his recovery. The Cubs should map out of a rehab assignment for the reliever in the coming days, with Barnette likely to require at least two appearances in the minors before returning from the 10-day injured list.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Placed on IL
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day IL, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
He recently threw 20 pitches off a mound, but will need at least a couple more weeks before he is ready to join the big-league bullpen.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Gets back on mound
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) threw 20 pitches off a mound Thursday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
The bullpen session was Barnette's first since March 3. He's been ruled out for Opening Day but may not have a lengthy absence if his progress continues without setbacks.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Nearing return to throwing
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) could throw a bullpen later this week, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Barnette is still battling the shoulder sprain which ended his 2018 campaign prematurely. He's already been ruled out for Opening Day, but it's not yet clear when he's expected to return.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Ruled out for Opening Day
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) won't be back by Opening Day, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Barnette threw Saturday but doesn't have enough time to get up to speed by the start of the regular season. He'll compete for a bullpen role following an expected trip to the injured list.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Still facing shoulder issues
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) is a long shot to be available for Opening Day, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Barnette supposedly entered spring training with no restrictions after missing the end of last season with a right shoulder sprain, but apparently the injury has resurfaced. The 35-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in February and figures to be a middle-relief bullpen option when healthy.
Barnette (shoulder) will have no restrictions during spring training, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Barnette's 2018 campaign was cut short in July due to a shoulder sprain, but he's back to full health heading into spring. Prior to getting hurt, the veteran right-hander compiled a 2.39 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB across 26.1 innings for the Rangers. Barnette will likely fill a middle-relief role for his new club.
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Cubs' Tony Barnette: Signs with Cubs
Rotowire
Barnette (shoulder) signed a one-year deal with the Cubs with a club option for 2020 on Friday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Barnette will make $750,000 plus incentives in 2019 and $3 million the following year if his option is picked up. A shoulder sprain cut the 35-year-old's season short in early July, though he was pitching quite well in the first half of the year, recording a 2.39 ERA in 26.1 innings. He should be a capable middle-relief option in Chicago if he's able to fully bounce back.
