Carl Crawford Released by Dodgers Roster After Being Designated for Assignment

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford was designated for assignment June 5 amid a woeful start to the 2016 campaign.

The Dodgers announced Crawford's demotion and added that they recalled catcher/infielder Austin Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the 34-year-old veteran's spot on the MLB roster. Crawford was released from the Dodgers Monday, per Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times.

Crawford has appeared in 30 games this season, posting a slash line of .185/.230/.235 in 81 at-bats.

"Father Time gets everyone," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters June 5. "This game is about performance."

Making Crawford's performance all the more disappointing is how much money Los Angeles stands to owe him over the next year-plus, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times:

Trayce Thompson has flashed promise in his first season with the Dodgers thus far, but the outfield as a whole has been lackluster this year.

Gifted youngsters Yasiel Puig (25) and Joc Pederson (24) haven't lived up to expectations, with batting averages of .237 and .226, respectively. Puig also just went on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. The dismissal of Crawford in light of Puig's injury shows how little faith the Dodgers have in him.

Andre Ethier is already out for a prolonged period with a fractured tibia, so L.A. will have to count on the likes of Howie Kendrick, Scott Van Slyke and Pederson to pick up the slack in the outfield rotation.

A team ERA of 3.35 entering Monday has been the primary reason the Dodgers are above .500 with a 33-31 record. Increased production from the batting order will be necessary for surefire playoff contention, but Crawford won't be doing any more damage at the dish.