The Los Angeles Dodgers made a roster move on Saturday, claiming left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes off waivers from the Chicago Cubs to bolster their starting pitching depth. The move comes as the Dodgers navigate a few early-season injuries to their rotation.
Barnes, 30, has had a brief stint in the majors this season, making just one appearance for the Cubs on April 13. In that outing, he worked three innings of bulk relief, allowing four runs (three earned). Most of his 2025 campaign has been spent at Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a solid 3.04 ERA over seven games (four starts), striking out 27 batters while walking 12 in 26 2/3 innings.
The left-hander has an interesting career path. He made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Minnesota Twins before heading overseas to pitch four seasons for the Lotte Giants in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). In Korea, Barnes was a workhorse, making 94 starts and posting a combined 3.58 ERA with 516 strikeouts and just 166 walks over 553 innings. He signed a minor league contract with Chicago this past January.
Barnes entered the season with only 37 days of major league service time and is currently using his second option year (his first was in 2021). After being optioned twice by the Cubs following Opening Day, he was designated for assignment on Wednesday while in the minors.
This move adds some insurance for a Dodgers rotation that, while still strong, is feeling the strain of early-season bumps. Tyler Glasnow is expected to miss minimal time with back spasms, and Blake Snell returns to the mound on Saturday. However, beyond those two, the Dodgers have no other healthy starting pitchers on the 40-man roster besides Jake Eder. Eder, who was used exclusively in short relief during his three-week MLB stint, was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday and is starting for them on Saturday, suggesting the team plans to build him back up as a starter.
To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Barnes, the Dodgers moved infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman to the 60-day injured list. This means Edman cannot return until at least May 21, though he likely won't be ready by then anyway. Edman is recovering from right ankle surgery he underwent in November, and his recovery has been slow. He worked out at Dodger Stadium on Friday, but he is behind fellow 60-day IL member Kiké Hernández, who has already begun a rehab assignment in Triple-A. The Dodgers will be patient with Edman as he works his way back to full strength.