13 October 2016: Outside of Wrigley Field prior to the NLCS with the Chicago Cubs against the Washington Nationals or the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Despite significant turnover within their pitching staff, the Los Angeles Dodgers have maintained their position at the top of the National League West and remain prominent World Series contenders. Following a busy offseason of acquisitions, the organization continues to cycle through bullpen and depth options to secure reliable innings.
Among these depth moves is the return of a former Chicago Cubs left-hander whose tenure in Chicago was limited to just a single appearance.
Los Angeles Dodgers Reacquire Former Cubs Pitcher After Short Absence
According to official transaction records, Charlie Barnes has returned to the Dodgers to support their postseason push. This follows his designation for assignment by the defending champions, his removal from the 40-man roster, and a brief period as a free agent.
Barnes initially joined Los Angeles after being designated for assignment by Chicago in early May. His stint with the Cubs was brief, consisting of one major league game in which he surrendered three earned runs over three innings.
His initial period with the Dodgers was similarly challenging, as he allowed seven earned runs across nine total innings. Nevertheless, the organization appears to value the veteran left-hander’s potential to provide much-needed pitching depth as injuries impact the roster.
Former Cubs Pitcher Earns Second Opportunity With NL Contender
“Los Angeles grabbed Barnes off waivers after the Cubs DFAed him in early May,” Charlie Wright noted for MLB Trade Rumors. “He’s bounced back and forth between the big-league club and the minors. Barnes recorded a pair of scoreless innings to begin his Dodgers tenure. His final outing with the club didn’t go so well. The lefty was crushed for seven earned runs as a bulk reliever against the A’s on July 1. He was sent down the following day.”
That challenging performance led to Barnes clearing waivers and electing free agency; however, it did not sever his ties with the Dodgers organization. Instead of seeking a new team, the 29-year-old opted to return to Los Angeles on a new minor league contract.
For the Dodgers, this move serves as a low-risk strategy to bolster a pitching staff that has heavily relied on depth. Barnes has demonstrated the ability to provide multiple innings when called upon, and a strong performance at the Triple-A level could quickly earn him a return to the major league roster.
The move is equally logical for Barnes. Rather than attempting to rebuild his career elsewhere, he returns to a premier organization known for frequently moving arms between the minors and the big leagues. Given the Dodgers’ continuous rotation of pitchers, a major league opportunity may be within reach if he can regain his form.
