The Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets will play their Opening Day game at Citi Field on Thursday.
In preparation for the upcoming season, the Mets have been busy completing their roster.
New York Mets Release 2-Time World Series Champion
The Mets have now decided to dismiss Austin Barnes prior to their opening game.
The seasoned catcher just finished a season in which he batted.214 for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 13 games.
“The Mets released veteran catcher Austin Barnes, who had been in camp on a minor league deal,” reported Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The organization’s best Minor League catching options are now Hayden Senger and Kevin Parada.
Barnes’ MLB Career
In the 2011 MLB Draft, Barnes was selected in the ninth round.
He has played for the Dodgers for all 11 seasons of his career.
Barnes batted.289 with eight home runs, 38 RBI, 35 runs, and three stolen bases in 2017.
In the two years prior, Barnes assisted the Dodgers in winning the World Series.
The 36-year-old has batted.223 with 35 home runs, 162 RBI, 206 runs, and 23 stolen bases in 612 career games.
Barnes may be a useful addition to many clubhouses throughout the league given his expertise.
X user @thebs19 wrote: “So the point of a Barnes signing, since he wasn’t really competing with Torrens, would be so that in case on injury, which has happened a lot, we don’t have to turn to Hayden Senger and Kevin Parada. Don’t get this, at all. Rortvedt is not much better, but guess hope he clears.”
Mets Before Pirates Battle
The Mets just finished a season in which they did not make it to the MLB playoffs.
Nevertheless, many people think their club might contend for a World Series spot in 2026.
On March 30, the Mets will travel to play the St. Louis Cardinals in a series after the Pirates.
