Dodgers Shake Up Roster, DFA Veterans Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor
In a surprising turn of events, the Dodgers designated longtime veterans Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor for assignment within the same week — two moves that signal a quick pivot towards younger talent and an expectation that won’t tolerate underperformance, no matter how beloved the name on the jersey.
This transition came just as Clayton Kershaw made his long-awaited 2025 return to the mound, throwing his first pitches of the season after rehabbing an injury. The timing was striking because Kershaw is now the last remaining veteran from the Dodgers’ championship-era core. With Barnes and Taylor gone, a chapter closes and a new one begins.
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, speaks about the tough decision to DFA Barnes and Taylor / MLB
What Does DFA Mean?
Before diving deeper, it helps to know what “designated for assignment” or “DFA” actually means.
When the Dodgers DFA a player like Barnes or Taylor, they’re removing him from the team’s 40-man roster. From there, the team has about a week to figure out what’s next for the player — whether that’s trading him, releasing him, or sending him back to the minors if no other team claims him.
It’s basically a roster-clearing move, often tough but necessary to make room for fresh talent or players who can help right now.
Austin Barnes — A Bridge Between Eras
Austin Barnes had been a Dodger since 2015 — a steady presence behind the plate for nearly a decade. He wasn’t a headline-grabber, but his value was always in the details — game-calling, defense, and his ability to earn pitchers’ trust. That became especially clear this season when he helped Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitching phenom, settle into his MLB debut. Sasaki's rocky start to the season could have derailed his momentum, but Barnes’ leadership and mentorship helped boost his confidence and ease his transition into the majors.
Even as his offensive numbers began to decline, Barnes remained a respected figure in the clubhouse and a reliable mate for both veterans and rookies alike. He had a reputation for being especially effective with new arms, providing stability during moments that could easily spiral for inexperienced pitchers. His presence was less about stats and more about culture — a foundational veteran figure during multiple eras of Dodger baseball.
There’s hope his time with the organization isn’t fully over. Similar to how the San Francisco Giants brought famed catcher Buster Posey back as the President of Baseball Operations, a front office role, the Dodgers could someday bring Barnes into player development, scouting, or coaching. His deep well of experience, especially with managing pitching talent, makes him a natural fit for shaping the next generation. Barnes may be off the field for now, but his story with the Dodgers doesn’t feel finished.
Taylor’s Departure Marks a Turning Point
Chris Taylor’s DFA might be the most symbolic of all. When the Dodgers traded for him in 2016 — sending pitcher Zach Lee to the Seattle Mariners — the move barely registered as a headline. Taylor wasn’t a top prospect and expectations were low. However, what followed was one of the most unexpected glow-ups in recent Dodgers history. Taylor transformed himself into one of the league’s most reliable utility players. Taylor became the team’s Swiss Army Knife — a guy who could play almost anywhere on the field and do it with relentless hustle. He became the kind of unassuming backbone teams rely on — one that was never flashy, but was always dependable.
Even Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto famously called it "clearly the worst deal I've ever made," a rare public admission of just how much Taylor had blossomed after leaving Seattle. For fans, Taylor was more than just another roster piece — he was a symbol of the Dodgers’ ability to find overlooked talent and turn it into gold.
That’s what makes his DFA hit harder. It’s not just about declining numbers at the plate — which, yes, had become too significant to ignore — it’s about what his departure represents. Taylor’s departure represents a shift away from an era where underdog player development stories like his defined the Dodgers’ identity. DFA’ing Taylor is the kind of move a team only makes when the stakes are sky-high, like they are for the reigning champions. It’s a reminder that no matter how beloved or battle-tested a player is, performance rules the day. And in this case, the front office decided it was time to move forward.
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, had nothing but kind parting words for Taylor and hopes to see him again later down the line. "He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around. Whenever he’s done playing four, five, six years from now, I hope he’s always connected to the Dodgers,” said Friedman.
From the Farm to the Show
To fill the roster spots, the Dodgers promoted two players from the minors — catcher Dalton Rushing and infielder Hyesong Kim. Rushing has a bit of buzz around his potential as he is a skilled player both behind and at the plate. Kim adds speed (he’s been nicknamed “The Comet” for a reason) and has the kind of versatility the Dodgers tend to value — maybe even a symbolic passing of the utility torch.
Hyesong Kim, formerly of the Kiwoom Heroes (KBO), was one of the international signings that the Dodgers brought on this year along with Roki Sasaki. After spending a short time acclimating to the workings of American baseball in the minor leagues, Kim has finally been called up to The Show and hasn’t disappointed.
If these decisions seem harsh, that’s because they are — but they’re also necessary. The Dodgers are the reigning 2024 champions, and that status comes with a different kind of pressure. They’re not just here to compete — they’re expected to dominate. As far as management is concerned, sentimentality doesn’t win rings.
Every roster spot has to produce.
Moving Forward After a Sweep
However, the team’s performance on the field the past few days didn’t immediately justify the front office’s tough decisions. The Dodgers were swept in a three-game series by the Los Angeles Angels (FKA the Anaheim Angels), a team that’s been struggling to find its identity post-Shohei Ohtani. That loss stings on its own. But being swept by Ohtani’s former team, right after overhauling the roster to build around him, adds insult to injury.
Management stepped up to the plate — figuratively speaking — with moves that prioritize results over relationships. As Barnes and Taylor exit the Dodgers’ roster, it’s hard not to feel the sting of saying goodbye to players who’ve been part of this team’s journey. They brought grit, versatility, and heart — qualities that don’t disappear overnight.
But baseball has always been a game of constant change and bittersweet goodbyes, and the Dodgers are clearly focused on the future. With fresh talent stepping up and championship expectations higher than ever, there’s every reason to believe this team isn’t done writing its story. The road ahead may be uncertain, but the drive to win remains as fierce as ever.
