Dodgers Promote Rushing, Designate Barnes for Assignment

The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated longtime backup catcher Austin Barnes for assignment and promoted top prospect Dalton Rushing to the major leagues. Rushing, a 24-year-old left-handed hitter and the Dodgers' No. 1 prospect, has excelled at Triple-A Oklahoma City with a .308/.424/.514 slash line, five home runs, and 17 RBIs in 31 games this season. Drafted in the second round in 2022, he is ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline and has shown defensive versatility at catcher, first base, and left field. Barnes, who has been with the Dodgers for 11 seasons and contributed to their 2020 World Series win, was struggling offensively with a 9-for-44 batting performance this season. Rushing is expected to boost the Dodgers’ lineup, especially as left-handed hitters Michael Conforto and Max Muncy have underperformed, while Will Smith remains the starting catcher. The Dodgers have seven days to trade or release Barnes following the roster move.