Dodgers Designating Austin Barnes for Assignment to Call Up Dalton Rushing in Shocking Move
The Los Angeles Dodgers are designating catcher Austin Barnes for assignment to call up Dalton Rushing, per multiple reports.
More news: Dodgers Calling Up Top Prospect Dalton Rushing in Shocking Move
The move signals the end of of a long union between the Dodgers and their longest-tenured player not named Clayton Kershaw.
Rushing has an undeniable bat and will hope to provide his team with a much-needed boost on offense. The 24-year-old is batting .308/.424/.514 with an OPS of .938 in Triple-A this year.
Barnes had seen better days at the plate in his career as he was hitting .214 in 42 at-bats in 2025. He added nine hits, a pair of RBIs and 14 strikeouts this season. Defensively, he had allowed 15 stolen bases across 12 games played.
With all the recent changes in Los Angeles over the last decade, Barnes has been one of the few constants.
The longtime backstop made his way to the Dodgers via an offseason trade ahead of the 2015 campaign. It sent Dee Gordon and ironically Miguel Rojas among other pieces to the Marlins for southpaw Andrew Heaney, right-hander Chris Hatcher, Barnes and just as ironically, Kiké Hernández.
Offensively, Barnes’ best season came in 2017 where he batted .289/.408/.486 with an incredible .895 OPS, adding 38 RBIs and eight home runs in 218 at-bats. All of these marks would be career-highs for the back stop on the Dodgers’ way to the National League pennant, with his eight home runs being tied once again in 2022.
In the 2020 World Series, Barnes hit his second career postseason home run during Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays on the way to breaking the 1-1 series tie and eventually hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy.
Barnes will be missed behind the dish for the Dodgers, but he leaves behind quite the legacy as a consistent presence behind home plate.
More news: Clayton Kershaw’s Official Return Date Revealed by Dodgers Manager
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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I like Barnes. He has been a big positive in the Dodger Clubhouse. However, Rushing deserves his shot. Barnes has not performed offensively for years now. The move seemed inevitable and logical. Good luck Dalton! Hope you live your dream and perform how must of us, and Dodger brass, feel you can!
I feel for Austin. What a professional! I can only imagine that conversation between Austin and management. I remember years ago when they asked the Dodger players who they would want with them in a “fox hole”. The majority said Austin Barnes. Sadly, it is a business.
Sad day for Dodger baseball; but the writing was on the wall. When Dodgers brass said Rushing would be focusing on catching; that was probably the point when the inevitable was started. There was no way they could let Rushing sit in Triple A. Now, he will get at bats in the Big Show once a week as catcher. Obviously, Will is going nowhere. But—when Shohei starts pitching again; Will should be the DH. Then Dalton gets more at-bats. And the other side of the coin is left field. Conforto is a very average fielder. He is starting to hit; but if Dalton is with the big club; he can be tuned up like Pages has been on his defense. Pages has turned a “page” in his defense in a big way.
Anyway, Sad to see Austin go. He was and always will be a true professional. Someone will claim him. He should eke out a couple more years with someone. This decision was not an easy one; but I would be surprised if he isn’t claimed in the next couple days.
Sad to see, but if it’s shocking to Gabe he hasn’t been paying attention. Austin had a good bounceback year last year, but the 3 years prior his batting averages were .180, .212 and .215. With no power. So far this year, 2 RBIs. In todays game that just doesn’t cut it.
I thank him for his contributions and wish him well. Tip of the hat to Austin!
Maybe a bigger message is being sent… Barnes was Kershaw’s designated catcher. With him gone are the Dodgers telling Kershaw to get his 32 atrikeouts or where ever he ends up beyond that mark and retire this year? I guess it depends on how he pitches once he returns. The door will always be open for Clayton but there will be a ton of younger pitchers coming off the IL this year and they have to go somewhere. As always, TIME WILL TELL THE TALE.
Good luck Austin Barnes in all your future endeavors…
With Barnsey it’s not the batting average that counted. Hitting didn’t keep him in MLB for 11 yrs.
If you talk with the pitching staff you will find nothing but respect for Austin. Watch the way he set up behind the plate…not a twitch. He stayed absolutely still. Very seldom did you see him throw a leg out or move his glove. His knowledge of each hitter’s habits was admired by hitters and other catchers alike.
In the clubhouse full of future hall of fame members and journeymen players, Barnes was considered the Captain of the team. (Ask Mookie). If a rookie was starting, Austin got the call. But, it’s a business and I’m happy the Dodgers made sure Barnsey got his ten years in.
Thank you Austin for the pleasure of watching you and showing us how the position of Catcher is played.
Barnes was the consummate team guy who was respected by his teammates and a contributor in many ways. Sadly, it was only a matter of time Dalton Rushing was coming to the “Show” and he certainly expedited this move with offense the Dodgers sorely need from their backup catcher. Andrew Friedman and Doc Roberts are smart baseball men, the best there is, and are wisely going to give Dalton 2 starts a week. It is exciting to envision Will Smith being that much fresher down the stretch this year. Thank you Austin Barnes, I hope you stay in the best organizaiton in sports in some capacity. Perhaps you and JT are back in Blue together very soon. All the best to a class act.