Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Matt Barnes announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Sunday through an Instagram post reflecting on an 11-year career that began and largely flourished in Boston.

Barnes spent the bulk of his professional life with the Red Sox after the team selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft out of the University of Connecticut. He made his big-league debut in 2014 and remained a fixture in the organization’s bullpen for nine seasons.

In a message shared online, Barnes wrote: “When I look back at my baseball career, there isn’t a single thing I would change. I was able to live out not only my dream, but the dream of so many kids who pick up a baseball hoping one day they’ll hear their name called. For that, I’ll be forever grateful. From being drafted by the Red Sox out of UConn in 2011, making my Major League debut in 2014, winning a World Series in Boston, earning an All-Star selection, and finishing my career with the Marlins and Nationals , baseball gave me more than I ever could have imagined.”

The right-hander played a supporting role in the Red Sox’s 2018 championship run, appearing in key postseason games as the club captured its fourth World Series title of the century. Three years later, he earned a trip to the All-Star Game while still pitching for Boston.

After his time in the American League East ended, Barnes closed out his playing days with the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals. He last appeared in a major league game during the 2024 season.

The announcement came on a day when the current Red Sox squad dropped a 4-3 decision to the Athletics at Fenway Park, finishing a series in which they managed only one victory. While the present team continues its campaign, Barnes’ retirement marks the formal end of a career closely tied to the franchise’s recent success.

Barnes developed into a reliable late-inning option during his Boston years, known for a fastball that touched the upper 90s and a sharp breaking ball. Teammates and fans often pointed to his competitive fire and presence in high-leverage situations, particularly during the 2018 playoff push.

His path from college standout to first-round pick to World Series champion offered a classic baseball story of persistence and opportunity. Drafted straight from UConn, he moved through the Red Sox minor league system before establishing himself as a major league contributor.

By the time he reached the All-Star level in 2021, Barnes had already secured a lasting place in Red Sox history through the championship season three years earlier. That dual achievement of a title ring and midsummer classic selection highlighted the peak of his time in Boston.

The final chapters of his career with Miami and Washington allowed him additional innings and experience, even as his role shifted. He approached those seasons with the same gratitude later expressed in his retirement message.

Fans who followed Barnes through the years responded to the announcement with messages of appreciation, recalling his contributions during the championship era and wishing him well in the next phase of life. Many noted the personal connections he formed while wearing a Red Sox uniform.

Barnes leaves the game having lived out a childhood dream in full view of New England supporters. His career spanned more than a decade at the highest level, bookended by the draft that started it all and the Instagram post that brought it to a close.

In looking back, the pitcher emphasized that baseball delivered more than he could have envisioned, from the early days in Connecticut to the final appearances in National League cities. The statement underscored a sense of fulfillment that defined his time as a professional.

As the Red Sox continue their season without him, Barnes steps away having left a mark on the organization that drafted him and celebrated with him in 2018.

His retirement closes a chapter for a player who once helped deliver a World Series parade to the streets of Boston.