Ex-Dodgers Catcher Austin Barnes's 2025 Season Deteriorates Further After Giants Release

Former Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes's challenging 2025 season took a turn for the worse after his release from the San Francisco Giants. Barnes, who was initially assigned to the Giants' rookie-level team following a minor-league contract, struggled at the lower levels, batting .167 with a .611 OPS over three games. He was promoted to Triple-A on July 8 but only appeared in 10 games, hitting .212 with a .509 OPS and no extra-base hits. Despite the Giants' struggles with their primary catchers, including Patrick Bailey and Andrew Knizner, there was little chance Barnes would replace them, especially given the presence of top prospects like Jesus Rodriguez. Once a mainstay with the Dodgers, Barnes's career appears to be winding down, and it might be time for him to consider retirement. His experience working well with pitchers suggests he could transition into coaching or advisory roles, potentially serving as a bench coach or special advisor for the Dodgers, provided he maintains a positive outlook after recent setbacks.