Barney beat out Kike Hernandez for the Dodgers' final utility spot, with Hernandez getting sent down on Saturday night.

That it came this far into spring training illustrates how close Barney is to losing his job, despite having a major league deal.

The Dodgers signed Barney to a one-year deal worth $2.53 million, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The two sides were able to avoid arbitration with the deal. He should continue to provide infield depth, primarily working as a defensive replacement late in games. In 262 plate appearances splitting time with the Cubs and Dodgers last season, Barney slashed .241/.300/.342 with three home runs and one steal -- numbers that are almost exactly in line with his career norms.

Barney will start at second bat and bat leadoff Wednesday against the Padres.

Barney will get his first opportunity atop the order this season with Dee Gordon getting a night off, and it figures to just be a one-off appearance. The 28-year-old Barney has gone 3-for-9 with the Dodgers but is sporting a .274 OBP for the season.

Barney was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Hanley Ramirez's placement on the DL with an oblique strain created a need in the middle infield for the Dodgers, one which Barney will fill for the time being. Miguel Rojas is starting at short Sunday and will likely see most of the work there, meaning Barney will be deployed mostly as a utility option, and he could be sent down if the team ultimately decides Alex Guerrero is more deserving. Barney has gone 9-for-35 (.257 average) with one double in nine games since joining Albuquerque.

Barney was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Barney's demotion likely cements Miguel Rojas into a utility role for the time being, and leaves Justin Turner as the top backup option at second base behind Dee Gordon. The Dodgers completed the trade for Barney by sending 20-year-old right-hander Jonathan Martinez to the Cubs on Wednesday.

Dodgers optioned 2B Darwin Barney to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Barney was acquired from the Cubs earlier this week for pitcher Jonathan Martinez, but the 28-year-old infielder is going to get some time in the minors before joining Los Angeles' active roster. Barney is an elite defender at second base, but he owns a .244/.290/.335 career slash line at the major league level.

Dodgers acquired 2B Darwin Barney from the Cubs for a player to be named later.

The Cubs designated Barney for assignment last week, handing second base duties to Arismendy Alcantara and Emilio Bonifacio. Barney had a rough .244/.290/.335 batting line in parts of five seasons with Chicago, but he's an elite defender at second base.

According to Mark D. Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, infielder Darwin Barney is headed to the Dodgers.

Cubs designated 2B Darwin Barney for assignment.

The move clears a spot for Emilio Bonifacio's return from the disabled list. It was increasingly obvious that Barney's days in Chicago were numbered, especially with the recent emergence of Arismendy Alcantara. The 28-year-old was originally drafted by the Cubs in 2007 and has compiled a .244/.290/.335 batting line over 542 games with the club.

Cubs activated 2B Darwin Barney from the paternity leave list.

Barney was away for a couple days while his wife delivered the couple's third child. With the Cubs deciding to keep Arismendy Alcantara around, Barney's playing time could be limited.

Cubs placed 2B Darwin Barney on the paternity leave list.

Barney's wife is due to give birth to the couple's third child. He should return over the weekend.

Darwin Barney went 4-for-5 and scored twice against the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Included among the four hits were his first triple and his ninth double. Barney entered the night with a .196 average and hadn't had so much as a two-hit game since June 12. The Cubs would love to see him go on a little tear and increase his trade value prior to the deadline.

Darwin Barney hit a rare home run -- a two-run shot -- in Friday's loss to the Brewers.

Barney's blast into the basket in left field at Wrigley Field in the second inning got the Cubs on the board. Junior Lake followed with a solo shot the next frame, but that's all the scoring the Cubbies could muster. Barney has a pair of longballs this season and is hitting just .183/.266/.268.

Darwin Barney clubbed a two-run homer against the Reds on Saturday.

Some rare power from Barney, as it was just his 17th career home run in 483 games. 14 of them have come at Wrigley Field. The 28-year-old wasn't much of a fantasy option even as a regular, so he's essentially irrelevant as a part-timer.

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Rangers have been scouting the Cubs in recent days.

Sullivan notes that the Cubs could have extra infielders, and the Rangers would be more interested in Darwin Barney than Donnie Murphy. Luis Valbuena could also potentially be looked at as Texas pursues potential replacements for Jurickson Profar (shoulder). Sullivan also lists Ronny Cedeno, Kevin Frandsen and Cesar Izturis as possible veteran options.

Darwin Barney went 0-for-3 as the Cubs fell to the Athletics 6-2 on Monday.

Barney, who has spent a vast majority of his playing time at second base, was playing at shortstop on the same day prospect Javier Baez was starting at second base in the Cubs' other split-squad game. Baez, attempting to learn second base, is a legitimate threat to Barney's playing time.

Darwin Barney will start at shortstop in Thursday's Cactus League game.

Starlin Castro is currently nursing a right hamstring strain, so the Cubs are looking at Barney as an insurance policy. It's also a way to showcase his versatility for a possible trade down the road.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Thursday that Darwin Barney remains the team's starter at second base.

Emilio Bonifacio will see plenty of playing time at second but will function as a super utility player. Barney is getting the nod because of his slick glove, but he's going to have to improve upon last year's ugly .208/.266/.303 batting line if he wants to keep his job.

Cubs and 2B Darwin Barney avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.3 million contract.

Barney asked for $2.8 million and was offered $1.8 million from the Cubs when arbitration figures were exchanged last month. It took a couple of weeks for the two sides to find a middle ground. Barney, 28, batted just .208/.266/.303 in 141 games last season for Chicago and will likely be a non-tender candidate next winter.

Darwin Barney requested $2.8 million and was offered $1.8 million from the Cubs when arbitration figures were exchanged on Friday.

The 28-year-old is a highly skilled defender, but slashed an atrocious .208/.266/.303 in 2013 which made him an non-tender candidate. He's likely to earn north of $2 million in the arbitration process.