Catching up on some roster news from this week, catcher Will Smith was moved to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, which opened up a 40-man roster spot for Charlie Barnes. That’s right, Smith and Barnes are linked yet again.
Smith moving to the 60-day injured list means he can’t technically return until August 7, but that doesn’t materially affect the timeline for his return from neck inflammation. Manager Dave Roberts said last weekend that Smith will be out until at least mid-August at the earliest,
with no definitive timeline on when he might return this season. Which brings in the valid question of whether the Dodgers try to acquire a catcher by the August 3 trade deadline to pair with Dalton Rushing should Smith not be able to return this season.
The last game Smith played for the Dodgers was June 5, with the three-time All-Star hitting .249/.338/.382 with eight home runs in 52 games and a 102 wRC+ this season. Rushing last weekend passed Smith in defensive innings and games started behind the plate this season, potentially paving the way for a Dodgers catcher besides Smith to lead in those categories for the first time since 2019.
Barnes was active for the last two games against the Phillies but did not pitch, replacing Landon Knack as the bulk arm in the bullpen after Knack pitched two innings on Monday in Philadelphia.
Barnes was claimed by the Dodgers off waivers from the Cubs on May 9, and the 30-year-old left-hander has pitched in three games for the Dodgers in his two previous stints in the majors this season. After a pair of scoreless innings in relief in May, Barnes soaked up seven innings in relief, giving up seven runs in a loss to the A’s on July 1 that was mostly about resetting the bullpen during a stretch of 13 game days in a row.
The Dodgers designated Barnes for assignment on July 11 to make room for activating Knack off the 60-day injured list. After clearing waivers and getting sent outright to the minors, Barnes opted for free agency, then re-signed on a minor league deal with the Dodgers on July 17.
In seven starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, Barnes has a 5.65 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 12 walks in 28 2/3 innings. He hasn’t pitched in a game since that July 1 game in West Sacramento.
