Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw on ‘Disappointing’ Austin Barnes DFA: I Think Everybody Was Surprised

Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw commented on the team’s decision to designate catcher Austin Barnes for assignment.

Read more: Dodgers’ Max Muncy Opens Up on ‘Tough’ Austin Barnes DFA

Barnes was often behind the plate when Kershaw took the mound, and the two had built a friendship that far surpassed what transpired on the diamond.

“I think everybody was surprised,” Kershaw said Thursday. “Yeah. It’s sad. Barnesy’s one of my best friends on or off the field. You won’t find a guy that competes better than Austin Barnes. He wants to win more than anybody, and he always found a way, and he came up with some big moments for us throughout the years. I think a lot of people forget he was starting a lot of playoff games and winning a lot of games for us, getting big knocks.”

The Dodgers called up top prospect Dalton Rushing, who made his Major League debut Thursday against the Athletics. In a corresponding move, the defending champions DFA’d Barnes.

The longtime backstop spent all 11 years of his professional career with the Dodgers, making his debut in 2015. This season, Barnes was slashing .214/.233/.286 with two RBIs and an OPS of .518 across 44 plate appearances.

“It’s sad to see someone like that go who’s been here that long, and I think we all kind of feel it. It’s no disrespect to Dalton. I know he deserves it, and he’s going to be a great player. It’s just for me, personally, I think for a lot of guys on the team, it was disappointing to see him go.”

Rushing performed well in Thursday’s 19-2 win over the Athletics, going 2-for-4 with a single and a walk. While the departure of Barnes signaled the Dodgers’ desire to win another championship, there were evidently several players that deemed it a huge loss — including Kershaw.

More news: Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman Not Yet Nearing Return

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Have you joined our Discord Channel yet? Be a part of the ultimate Dodgers Nation community and get VIP Nation Access! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers talk, call-in access to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, giveaways, and more!