The New York Mets have released veteran catcher Austin Barnes, cutting ties with the two-time World Series champion just days before the start of the 2026 season (h/t Anthony DiComo of MLB.com).
The 36-year-old catcher was released on Sunday after appearing in just eight spring training games, where he went 5-for-16 with three doubles.
Barnes had signed a minor league deal with New York in January, hoping to keep his career alive with a contending team. He put together a solid spring, with an .889 OPS with two RBI in eight games, but the Mets already have plenty of catching depth.
Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens headline the depth chart, and fellow former Dodger Ben Rortvedt, who was claimed off waivers this offseason, further crowded Barnes out of a roster spot.
Barnes made his first appearance for the Dodgers in 2015 and stayed with the organization until his release in May 2025, playing 612 major league games in Dodger blue. Throughout his career, Barnes hit .223 with 35 home runs while bringing in 162 RBI. Those numbers don’t tell the full story of what he meant to the organization, though.
Barnes was the kind of player who helps teams win championships, not because of what he brought to the clubhouse and the pitching staff.
During his time in Los Angeles, Barnes carved out a reputation as one of the more dependable backup catchers in baseball, and more notably, was Clayton Kershaw’s personal catcher.
His relationship with the future Hall of Fame left-hander was a major part of his value with the Dodgers. With Kershaw now retired, Barnes became more expendable in the eyes of the organization.
After the Dodgers released him last May, Barnes signed with the San Francisco Giants on a minor league deal, but was released before the end of the 2025 season without earning a call-up to the majors. The Mets represented his latest, and most likely his last, chance to stay in the big leagues.
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It speaks to how competitive major league rosters have become that a player of Barnes’ experience and winning pedigree couldn’t find a spot. Teams increasingly prioritize younger, cheaper depth options, and for a player his age without a guaranteed role, the margins are razor-thin.
Nearing 40, it would be totally understandable if this were the end of the road for Barnes as a player. His legacy in Los Angeles, however, is firmly intact. Two rings, over a decade of service and one of the more beloved locker room presences of the Dodgers’ dynasty years.
