Cubs Castoff Returns To World Series Favorite After Very Short Stint

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

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the second half of the season atop the National League West and remain one of baseball’s leading World Series favorites despite constant turnover for the pitching staff. Even after another blockbuster winter of acquisitions, the organization has continued cycling through bullpen and depth arms in search of reliable innings.

One of those pitchers has been a former Chicago Cubs left-hander whose stint in Chicago lasted only one game.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Bring Chicago Cubs Castoff After Brief Departure

After being designated for assignment by the reigning World Series champions, outrighted off the 40-man roster and briefly entering free agency, Charlie Barnes is now back with the Dodgers as they prepare for another postseason push, according to the official transaction tracker.

Barnes originally joined the Dodgers after Chicago designated him for assignment in early May. He enjoyed just one big-league game with the Cubs, giving up three earned runs in three innings.

And his first stint this season with the Dodgers didn’t go much better, as he gave up seven earned runs in nine total innings. But the organization evidently believes the veteran left-hander still provides valuable pitching depth as injuries continue to mount throughout the season.

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“Los Angeles grabbed Barnes off waivers after the Cubs DFAed him in early May,” Charlie Wright explained 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 difficult outing ultimately led to Barnes clearing waivers and electing free agency, but it apparently did not end his relationship with Los Angeles. Rather than pursuing another organization, the 29-year-old quickly returned on a new minor league contract.

For the Dodgers, the move represents another low-risk addition to a pitching staff that has relied heavily on depth throughout the season. Barnes has shown he can provide multiple innings when needed, and a strong stretch at Triple-A could easily earn him another opportunity before the end of the year.

For Barnes, the decision also makes sense. Instead of starting over elsewhere, he returns to one of baseball's premier organizations and a club that has consistently shuffled arms between Triple-A and the major league roster. Given Los Angeles' frequent pitching turnover, another big league opportunity may not be far away if he performs well. But his recent track record suggests he might need some time to find his form.