The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated relief pitcher Chris Hatcher from the paternity list prior to Friday’s three-game series opener against the San Francisco Giants. Infielder/catcher Austin Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to clear room on the active roster for Hatcher.
Hatcher was placed on the paternity list on Thursday; he needed to remain on it for at least one day, and could be inactive for a maximum of three days. Hatcher has appeared in four games this season, posting a 5.40 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 3.1 innings pitched.
Los Angeles recalled Adam Liberatore from Oklahoma City with the initial roster move, and the club will — at least for now — push forward with eight relievers.
That decision may very well be connected to Kenley Jansen having recorded a five-out save on Wednesday, and converted another save on Thursday. Jansen threw a combined 32 pitches over the two appearances.
Barnes made the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster in large part to Yasmani Grandal beginning the season on the 15-day disabled list due to lingering forearm soreness. Grandal was reinstated on Tuesday, which resulted in the Dodgers carrying three catchers for three games.
Manager Dave Roberts said on April 2 going with three catchers was a possibility given Barnes’ versatility. Barnes went 2-for-15 with one RBI in six games, appearing in four games (three starts) at catcher and two games (one start) at second base.
“Austin is a nice young player, it was just hard to get him at-bats,” Roberts said of the decision to send Barnes to Oklahoma City. “It also gives us the flexibility of having two lefties.” Roberts added the Dodgers are likely to carry eight relievers for their weekend series with San Francisco Giants and next week in Atlanta.
