San Diego Padres’ Jose Azocar, center, is tagged out by Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes, right, on Sunday in Los Angeles. Barnes agreed to a two-year deal to remain in L.A. rather than test free agency after the World Series. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Catcher Austin Barnes agreed Sunday to a $7 million, two-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers covering 2023 and ‘24 rather than become a free agent after this year’s World Series.
Barnes gets $3.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Dodgers have a $3.5 million team option for 2025. He can earn up to $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for games: $50,000 each for 65 and 70, $75,000 for 75, $150,000 for 80 and $175,000 for 85.
A member of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series champions, Barnes is hitting .179 with four homers and 12 RBI in 31 games this season. He has thrown out five of 14 runners attempting to steal, playing 26 games at catcher.
Barnes has a $2.6 million salary this in 2022, the second season of a two-year contract that originally guaranteed $4.3 million.
Barnes, 32, was acquired from Miami before the 2015 season and is the third-longest tenured player currently on the Dodgers behind Clayton Kershaw and Justin Turner.
YANKEES: Rookie reliever Ron Marinaccio was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with shoulder inflammation, leaving New York’s solid bullpen without a key piece nearing the season’s halfway point.
Marinaccio felt discomfort in his shoulder after pitching in Saturday’s 13-4 win over the Guardians in the first game of a doubleheader. The right-hander came in after Aroldis Chapman walked the bases loaded in the seventh inning.
The Yankees decided it would be best for the 27-year-old to get some extended rest to heal.
Marinaccio has been terrific since being called up on May 21. He’s pitched 15 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just an infield single with 17 strikeouts.
To take his spot, the Yankees recalled JP Sears, who has gone 3-0 while pitching 12 2/3 scoreless inning in three previous stints with New York this season.
METS: Back in a game at last, Jacob deGrom was sharp.
The New York Mets ace struck out five of the six batters he faced and threw 18 of 24 pitches for strikes Sunday night in his first minor league rehabilitation start for Class A St. Lucie.
The only hiccup for deGrom against the Jupiter Hammerheads in Port St. Lucie, Florida, came when he hit a batter with a pitch.
It was the first competitive outing since spring training for deGrom, sidelined all season because of a stress reaction in his right scapula that caused inflammation. The two-time Cy Young Award winner also missed the second half of last season with right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow — he hasn’t pitched in the majors since July 7, 2021.
As he builds up arm strength and stamina, the 34-year-old right-hander will need several minor league rehab outings before he’s ready to rejoin New York’s rotation.
GUARDIANS: Reliever James Karinchak is back with Cleveland after being sidelined all season with a shoulder strain suffered during spring training.
Karinchak was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday when the Guardians placed left-hander Anthony Gose on the 15-day injured list with a triceps strain he apparently sustained a day earlier.
The hard-throwing Gose gave up four runs and two hits in Cleveland’s 13-4 loss in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday against the New York Yankees.
BLUE JAYS: First base coach Mark Budzinski will be away from the team following the death of his eldest daughter. Julia Budzinski was 17.
“The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons,” general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement on Sunday. “This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family. I have known Bud for more than 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a dad and husband first. He is loved and well-respected by our entire clubhouse and holds a special place in all our hearts.”
The Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays lined up along the foul lines before first pitch Sunday for a moment of silence. Rays manager Kevin Cash said his team was “heartbroken.”
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