The Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse was turned upside down by the unexpected departures of Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor.

While the Dodgers used both longtime players sparingly in the lineup this season, each played a crucial role in the dynamic of the team.

Mookie Betts explained how the Dodgers essentially have to regroup as a collective with the absence of Barnes and Taylor.

“(Barnes) was always the jokester, cracking jokes, getting guys going, stirring the pot,” Betts said to The Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett. “You need a guy in there that everybody kind of looks to. When everybody’s sitting around, Barnesy was the guy who got everybody engaged, got everybody talking.

“CT was much quieter, more to himself. That might be a little different. But CT was a guy who was always an example of working hard. He was the guy in the cage showing the young guys how to get prepared, get ready for the game. I don’t know who’s going to do it now but CT did a great job of being that example. We just have to figure out where we are now.”

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman explained the decision to designate Barnes for assignment and release Taylor was emotionally difficult, but sensible from a business standpoint.

The Dodgers are in the midst of a tight division race, and it’s imperative every player on the roster performs at the highest level.

Nevertheless, the recent player cuts have in some ways have hurt the morale of the team. While success is pivotal to building a championship team, chemistry is equally as important.

In the coming weeks, the Dodgers will be tested by the latter.