Los Angeles Dodgers cut ties with underperforming Carl Crawford

The Dodgers cut ties with underperforming and oft-injured outfielder Carl Crawford on Sunday, designating the former All-Star for assignment.

Crawford was hitting .185 with two doubles, a triple and six RBI in 30 games. He has $35 million left on his contract over the next two years.

Since being acquired in a nine-player trade with Boston in August 2012, the 34-year-old left fielder had batted .278 with 18 home runs and 99 RBI in 320 games. It was the biggest trade in Dodgers’ history.

Crawford’s best years were in Tampa Bay, where he was a four-time All-Star, and earned Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards with the Rays in 2010. He was MVP of the 2009 All-Star Game.

But he hadn’t done much since helping the Dodgers in their run to the 2013 NL Championship Series, when he hit .320 with four homers and six RBI in 10 postseason games.

He had already been on the disabled list for lower back tightness in April.

“He’s frustrated because his body is not letting him produce the way he used to, but Father Time catches up with everyone,” manager Dave Roberts said.

Crawford was injured in each of his seasons with the Dodgers, including 2012 when he underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.

The team recalled catcher-infielder Austin Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was hitting .306 with eight doubles, a triple and 11 RBI in 37 games playing catcher, second base, center field and third base in the minors.

Pence set for hamstring surgery

San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence will undergo surgery for a torn right hamstring and is likely to be sidelined eight weeks.

The operation will be done in Dallas by Cowboys head physician Dr. Daniel Cooper.

The NL West leaders don’t anticipate making a deal for now, with Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson likely to get playing time in right field. Parker started all three games of a weekend series against the Cardinals.

The 33-year-old Pence is batting .298 with seven home runs and a team-leading 36 RBIs. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list after feeling the right hamstring pop running to first on Wednesday.

Fielder unhappy with benching

Prince Fielder wasn’t happy with being out of the lineup for a second straight day but said he respects Texas manager Jeff Banister’s decision to bench the struggling slugger.

Fielder, who is hitting .187 and has just one homer in his past 39 games, was replaced at designated hitter by Jurickson Profar again Sunday against Seattle. Profar, the team’s former top prospect, has a hit in all eight games since coming up from the minors and has a .378 average.

Profar filled in at second base during Rougned Odor’s seven-game suspension for punching Toronto’s Jose Bautista. Odor’s return Saturday prompted Profar’s move to DH.

Fielder, who had neck surgery in 2014, said he was fine physically and the only thing that was hurt was “my heart and my feelings.”