Austin

Barnes

The 30-year-old backstop has started each of the team’s first three games, so it’s not hugely surprising to see him get a night off. He should be back in there for Saturday’s series finale. Austin Barnes will start in his place on Friday night and will bat ninth against former battery-mate Jack Flaherty.

Smith suffered the initial injury last summer when he rolled his ankle on an awkward slide, adding that he’s surprised it’s lingered this long. The notion that the ongoing issue will require some in-season maintenance and treatment, seems to hint towards top prospect Dalton Rushing potentially playing a prominent role at some point this season. There isn’t much of a path to a spot on Los Angeles’ season-opening roster with veteran Austin Barnes still in the fold, but any sort of extended absence would result in Rushing getting plenty of at-bats. It’s a situation fantasy managers should monitor closely since Rushing projects as an immediate impact contributor once he gets an extended opportunity.

A no-brainer of sorts, even with the Dodgers having some young talent at the catching position in the minors that could help in 2025. Barnes got on at a .331 clip, and while there’s no power in his bat as seen in one total homer and a .307 slugging mark, his work with the pitching staff is well worth that contract and then some as the backup to Will Smith.

Barnes was placed on the injured list with a fractured toe 10 days ago. Now he’s back as the backup catcher with Hunter Feduccia optioned to the minors to make room on the active roster.

Barnes has a whole new fracture in the same toe he fractured last month. The Dodgers are hopeful he’ll be able to return for the postseason, but Hunter Feduccia will likely finish out this month as Will Smith’s backup.

It went off the same toe he fractured last month. Hunter Feduccia is expected to take his roster spot and serve as the Dodgers’ backup catcher for at least the next 10 days.

Will Smith was supposed to have this one off, but he entered as Barnes’ replacement. It’s the same toe that Barnes fractured last month, so he’s probably in quite a bit of pain at the moment.

Barnes returns as Los Angeles’ backup catcher following a minimum stay on the injured list with a fractured big toe.

It will ultimately depend on his pain tolerance, but Barnes is tentatively expected to return and catch for the Dodgers on Thursday. He has been shelved since August 19 toe to a fractured big toe.

The Dodgers are optimistic this will just be a 10-day stay. Barnes was hurt when he fouled a ball off his foot Sunday. Hunter Feduccia will back up Will Smith for now.