Days before Clayton Kershaw is expected to be activated off the 60-day injured list to begin his 18th season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team made a stunning decision to designate Austin Barnes for assignment in order for Dalton Rushing to make his MLB debut.
Barnes’ production at the plate and defensive value had waned over recent seasons, but he was revered in the clubhouse and considered a key part to the team’s pitching success. Barnes also is one of Kershaw’s closest friends and often served as his personal catcher of sorts.
“I think everybody was surprised,” Kershaw said of the Dodgers’ DFA decision. “It’s sad. Barnesy is one of my best friends on and off the field. You won’t find a guy that competes better than Austin Barnes. He wants to win more than anybody.
“He always found a way, he came up in 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 with big knocks. It’s sad to see someone like that go, who’s been here for so long.”
This is a second time in Kershaw’s career the Dodgers have parted with a catcher he was close to. In 2016, they traded A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies.
“I think we all kind of feel it. It’s no disrespect to Dalton. I know he deserves it and is going to be a great player. It’s just for me personally and for a lot of guys on the team, it was disappointing to see him go,” Kershaw added of Barnes getting designated for assignment.
Barnes was the longest-tenured Dodgers position player in his 11th season with the team. On Saturday, Kershaw will tie Bill Russell and Zack Wheat for the most seasons in Dodgers franchise history at 18.
Clayton Kershaw’s stats with Austin Barnes
As Dodgers teammates since 2014, Barnes caught 86 of Kershaw’s starts. That’s second only to Ellis, who was behind the plate for 113 games with Kershaw on the mound.
Russell Martin is third on the list (63 games), and he’s followed by Yasmani Grandal (62). Will Smith rounds out the top five as having formed a battery with Kershaw in 43 games.
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