(Photo Credit: cbssports.com)

In what came as a very surprising move on Sunday morning, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that the club has designated 34-year-old outfielder Carl Crawford for assignment.

The transaction implies that the Dodgers have 10 days to put Crawford on waivers, trade him, release him or send him to the minors, if he agrees to an assignment — while the best odds are that he’ll cut ties with the team completely.

Crawford is making $21.607 million this season and will make $21.857 million next season, which means the Dodgers could be on the hook for a total of about $35 million.

In 87 plate appearances over 30 games in 2016, the former All-Star was hitting .185/.230/.235.

Last season for the Dodgers, Crawford hit .265/.304/.403 with four home runs and 16 RBI over 193 plate appearances. His banner year came in 2010 in Tampa Bay when he slashed .307/.356/.495 with 110 runs scored, 30 doubles, 13 triples, 19 home runs, 90 RBI and 47 stolen bases.

While with Tampa Bay, Crawford averaged a whopping 146 games played and 640 plate appearances per season during a stretch from 2003-2010. In contrast, last season was his fourth consecutive year interrupted by a significant injury, having torn his oblique muscle in April. He has appeared on the disabled list a total of six times in the past seven seasons.

In Crawford’s absence, Los Angeles appears to be moving forward with Trayce Thompson as a starting outfielder. Entering Saturday’s game, Thompson was hitting .280/.341/.576 on the year, and is second to rookie shortstop Corey Seager for the team lead in home runs with nine.

Austin Barnes was recalled to take Crawford’s spot on the 25-man roster. Barnes is hitting .306 with a .413 OBP in 37 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

A catcher by trade, the 26-year-old Barnes has also spent time at third base, second base and even the outfield this season, and has recently flashed his otherwise unknown talent on the basepaths, as he leads OKC with 12 stolen bases.