The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped a four-game losing streak and avoided a sweep with a victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, but they also added another injury when Austin Barnes was hit by a pitch.
Trailing by six runs with two outs in the ninth inning, the Reds intentionally walked James Outman to bring up Barnes. The plate appearance ended when he was hit by a pitch in the right hand/wrist.
Barnes repeatedly shook his arm while walking up the first-base line and was checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and trainer Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima.
The Dodgers’ backup catcher initially remained in the game, but he was removed before the bottom of the ninth inning began.
While hit batsmen are an unfortunate part of the game, Clayton Kershaw took issue with Reds manager David Bell’s decision to walk Outman in that situation, which ultimately led to the injury, along with other unspecified factors, via SportsNet LA:
“It sounded bad. Barnesy is about as tough as they come. For him to even stop the game or come out of a game, that one got him pretty good. It’s pretty ridiculous that they walked the guy in front of him in that situation. I don’t agree with that, or a lot their manager did this series. I don’t think that was the right thing to do.”
Barnes underwent X-rays after the game, which came back negative. Still, there was considerable pain in his hand area, and Roberts expressed his concern before the testing was done, citing Barnes’ reluctance to come out of games in most other injury situations and the sound of the 95 mph fastball making contact with his right hand/wrist area.
Barnes finished the day going 1-for-4 with an RBI double before he was replaced by Will Smith for the final inning. The 33-year-old is batting .103/.193/.128 on the season with just two extra-base hits, four RBI and four runs scored.
Dodgers Minor League catchers if Austin Barnes misses time
It remains to be seen if Barnes will need a stint on the injured list, and it’s perhaps even unlikely after the negative X-rays, but the Dodgers have a few Minor League options if it’s necessary.
Hunter Feduccia, David Freitas and Patrick Mazeika would seem to be the most likely options to receive a call-up, but none of the three are on the 40-man roster. However, the Dodgers could transfer Trayce Thompson to the 60-day injured list to make room.
Roberts also ruled out the possibility of calling up Top Prospect Diego Cartaya, who is currently playing with Double-A Tulsa.
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