The Dodgers have released catcher , according to his at MLB.com. Hell be free to sign a contract with any club once he clears release waivers, if he hasnt already done so. This was the most likely outcome when Barnes was designated for a signment last week as the Dodgers chose to promote to the majors. Barnes is making a $3.5MM salary this year. It was unlikely that another club would claim him off waivers and take that on as hes hitting .214/.233/.286 this season. He has more than enough service time to reject an outright a signment in favor of electing free agency. The Dodgers are skipping that formality and sending Barnes to the open market more directly. As a free agent, he should garner more interest. The Dodgers remain on the hook for whats left of his salary. Any other club could sign him and would only owe him the prorated version of the major league minimum salary for any time spent on the roster. That amount would be subtracted from what the Dodgers pay. Barnes has never been a superstar but has been able to carve out a career of more than a decade as a solid big leaguer. The Dodgers sent him to the plate 1,757 times from 2015 to the present season. He hit 35 home runs in that time while drawing walks at a solid 11.2% Cam Gallagher Jersey clip and only striking out at a 22.3% pace. His .223/.322/.338 slash line translates to a wRC+ of 85. That indicates he has been 15% below league average at the plate overall. However, catchers usually come in about 10% below the league-wide par, so Barnes production has been pretty decent for a backup at that position. Defensively, the marks have been strong. He has been credited with 33 Defensive Runs Saved in his career overall. Outlets like and have graded him as a strong framer and blocker behind the plate. He also appeared to have a strong reputation in the clubhouse for his game-planning and work with pitchers in general, particularly . The Dodgers have clearly been fond of Barnes. He was set to reach free agency after the 2022 season but they that August. That deal paid him $7MM over 2023 and 2024 with a $3.5MM club option for 2025. They triggered that option back in November. But as mentioned, his production tailed off this year as Rushings ascent could no longer be ignored, which led to Barnes getting bumped off the roster. Some other club in need of catching depth is sure to be intrigued by Barnes, given his overall track record and low acquisition cost. Its also po sible that he and the Dodgers decide to reunite on a minor league deal, though hell have a chance to scour the market for other options. If he gets a major league deal elsewhere, he will suit up for a team other than the Dodgers for the first time. He was drafted by the Marlins but was traded to the Dodgers as a minor leaguer and has been in the Dodger organization until this week. Photo courtesy of Matt Marton, Imagn Images Will Brennan Jersey