The Washington Nationals may have lost Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, but one of their players had a huge victory. Reliever Aaron Barrett took the mound for the first time in four years, pitching a scoreless fifth inning.
That included him striking out 2018 NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr. to end the inning. Barrett was then seen full of emotion in the dugout, breaking down to tears.
Barrett was reflecting on his long journey back to the Majors. Barrett had Tommy John surgery in 2015 after a remarkable rookie season in 2014.
As he rehabbed to get back to the Nationals, he suffered a gruesome fractured elbow while pitching in a simulation game. That put him on the shelf for both the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
He re-signed with the Nationals on a minor league deal, pitching for their Short Season-Auburn affiliate. There he posted a 1.74 ERA and 1.106 WHIP in 20 2/3 innings. He re-signed with the Nationals and was assigned to Double A-Harrisburg where he posted a 2.75 ERA in 52 1/3 innings.
As the Nationals turned to their September call-ups, Barrett was called up. The moment he was told the news was shared throughout social media, as his manager Matt LeCroy fought back tears to tell Barrett he was finally heading back to the Majors.
Barrett’s resilience to get back on an MLB mound has paid off. Two major arm injuries and nearly two years being unable to pitch at all, Barrett has made it back. Despite the team loss, there was a lot for Aaron Barrett be happy and thankful about.
