Free agent Michael Barrett expects to continue his career in 2009 after missing the final three months of this season with facial fractures. Barrett suffered blurry vision and headaches for several weeks after he fouled a fastball off his face in Denver on July 2. "I feel pretty confident everything is improving and will improve in time for me to play next year," he said. "I don't know what exactly the process will be but I plan to be out there, Lord willing."Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

News: Padres catcher Michael Barrett, who missed 115 games because of injuries, has elected free agency after clearing outright waivers.

Analysis: Barrett has become a weak offensive player in the last two seasons and is nothing more than a NL-only Fantasy option when healthy

Padres sent catcher Michael Barrett outright to Triple-A Portland. Barrett was going to become a free agent after the World Series, but this makes him one a little earlier. The Padres aren't expected to make a bid to re-sign him.

Michael Barrett has cleared outright waivers with the Padres and has elected to become a free agent, according to the AP.The 31-year-old only hit .202 over 94 at-bats with the Padres this season, and will not be highly regarded among free agent catchers.

CBSSports.com reports San Diego Padres C Michael Barrett refused an outright assignment Friday, Oct. 10, officially making him a free agent.

Barrett has been on the disabled list since July 3, when he suffered facial fractures after fouling a ball off his face in a game.

The Associated Press reports San Diego Padres C Michael Barrett (face) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

News: The San Diego Padres claimed right-hander Scott Patterson off outright waivers from the New York Yankees on Thursday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Padres transferred catcher Michael Barrett to the 60-day disabled list. Patterson will join the Padres for Friday night's game against San Francisco.

Analysis: The 29-year-old Patterson made his big league debut this season with the Yankees, allowing one run in 1 1/3 innings of relief with two strikeouts in his lone outing on June 1 at Minnesota. He made 42 relief appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 2-1 with five saves and a 3.80 ERA. He's nothing but a middle-relief option for Fantasy leagues that use them. Barrett has been on the disabled list since July 3 with facial fractures sustained when he was struck by his own foul ball while batting in a game at Colorado the night before. His year is done and he's got no Fantasy value

Padres transferred catcher Michael Barrett to the 60-day disabled list. Barrett, who suffered multiple facial fractures when he was hit by his own foul ball in July, is eligible to return at any time, but it looks like he's done for the season.

With only 30 games left in the regular season, Barrett likely won't return. He'll be a free agent after the season.

Dan Hayes, of The North County Times, reports San Diego Padres catcher Michael Barrett (eyes) played catch on Monday, Aug. 25, but it's not known what his status for the season will be because he continues to experience double vision, a team source said. Barrett has undergone several surgeries since fouling a ball off his face and suffering a fractured nose and orbital bone on July 2.

Michael Barrett, who is on the DL while recovering from a broken nose, will undergo vision exercises and therapy, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.There remains no timetable for his return to San Diego, and he is not worth waiting for with a .202 batting average over 30 games this season.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports San Diego Padres C Michael Barrett (eyes) will remain in San Diego next week when the Padres go to Arizona and San Francisco. He will undergo vision exercises and therapy.