This biweekly column is your passport to the world of baseball. It includes everything you NEED to know, from the latest news and stats in international leagues to your favorite Major League Baseball team.
MLB Transaction Report
The organization reported that the Washington Nationals designated right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes for assignment on May 7.
Washington reinstated left-handed pitcher Robert Garcia from the 15-day injured list as part of this correspondence. Garcia was diagnosed with influenza on April 23.
Barnes, 34, was born in Danbury, Conn., and has played 11 seasons in the MLB with the Boston Red Sox from 2014-22 and the Miami Marlins in 2023.
Barnes was a World Series champion in 2018 and was selected once as an All-Star in 2021.
Barnes appeared in 14 games out of the bullpen for the Nationals to begin the 2024 season and posted a 6.75 ERA throwing 13.1 innings, allowing 16 hits, 10 earned runs, one home run, four walks, and 10 strikeouts.
In his 11 seasons in the MLB, Barnes has a lifetime record of 33-30 with a 4.21 ERA, 467 appearances, and three starts. He recorded 47 saves, threw 466.1 innings, and allowed 420 hits, 218 earned runs, 53 home runs, 214 walks, 586 strikeouts, and a 1.360 WHIP.
Tigers beat writer Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported that the Detroit Tigers optioned center fielder Parker Meadows to Triple-A Toledo on May 6. Detroit also called up left fielder Ryan Vilade to the active roster.
Meadows, 24, was born in Atlanta, Ga., and made his MLB debut for the Tigers on August 21, 2023. He was selected in the second round as the 44th overall pick of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft from the Tigers organization. He received a $2.5 million signing bonus, $1 million above their slot value at the time.
In his two seasons in the Majors, the left-handed hitter has played in 69 games and has a lifetime average of .182 in 230 plate appearances. He has smacked 36 hits, five doubles, three triples, five home runs, 16 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 28 walks, 69 strikeouts, and a .604 OPS.
During the 2024 season, Meadows played 32 games and started 26 at center field. Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez will compete for the everyday role in center field for Detroit while Meadows is with Triple-A Toledo.
The New York Mets announced on May 6 that they claimed Dominican Republic right-handed pitcher Yohan Ramirez from the Baltimore Orioles and designated right-handed pitcher Max Kranick for assignment.
Ramirez was designated for assignment by Baltimore on May 2.
Ramirez, 29, was born in Villa Mella, Dominican Republic and has played five seasons in the MLB with the Seattle Mariners from 2020-22, the Cleveland Guardians in 2022, the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2022-23, and the Chicago White Sox in 2023.
He was designated for assignment by the Mets on April 8 before being traded to the Orioles on April 11 in exchange for cash considerations.
Ramirez was also designated for assignment by the White Sox on December 13, 2023, before he was traded to the Mets on December 18 in exchange for cash considerations.
Ramirez appeared in three games out of the bullpen for the Mets and posted a 0-1 record with an 11.81 ERA throwing 5.1 innings, allowing nine hits, seven earned runs, one home run, four walks, and six strikeouts before being traded to the Orioles.
With Baltimore, Ramirez appeared in five games out of the bullpen and posted a 6.00 ERA throwing six innings, allowing three hits, four earned runs, two walks, and six strikeouts.
In Ramirez’s five seasons in the MLB, he has a lifetime record of 6-5 with a 4.39 ERA in 110 appearances recording six saves throwing 135.1 innings, allowing 110 hits, 66 earned runs, 17 home runs, 75 walks, 140 strikeouts, and a 1.367 WHIP.
