Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.
The Dodgers rolled with three catchers for more than a week, but with outfielder Will Venable coming aboard on a major league deal, they sent Barnes packing. Barnes has gone 2-for-19 with seven strikeouts with the big club so far this season, and will likely continue to ride the shuttle so long as Yasmani Grandal and A.J. Ellis are healthy.