On February 1, 2019, Barnette signed a one-year major league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He opened the 2019 season on the injured list while dealing with right shoulder tightness. He rehabbed with the Iowa Cubs before being activated off the disabled list on June 23. On June 27, 2019, he was optioned down from the MLB Chicago Cubs, to the Triple AAA Iowa Cubs for Craig Kimbrel
