Former Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes announces retirement after 11 MLB seasons

Pitcher Matt Barnes confirmed his retirement on Sunday, ending an 11-year major-league career that began with the Boston Red Sox.

Matt Barnes used his Instagram account on Sunday to announce that he is retiring from professional baseball after an 11-year tenure in the majors. The Connecticut native was drafted in the first round by the Boston Red Sox in 2011 and made his major-league debut as a September call-up in 2014, later becoming a reliable late-inning reliever. His résumé includes a 2021 All-Star nod and a standout performance in the 2018 World Series, where he logged 8 2/3 innings, allowed one run and secured two victories as Boston captured the title.

Following a designation for assignment before the 2023 season, Barnes pitched for the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals, and after being released early in the 2024 season he did not sign with another club. In his farewell note he expressed gratitude to the Red Sox organization, his teammates, and especially his wife Chelsea and their growing family, mentioning a recent sonogram of an upcoming child. Barnes concluded by saying baseball will always be part of his identity as he looks ahead to new chapters.