Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (back) is returning to Cactus League action on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. Barnes will do the catching and hit eighth in the batting order. A back injury caused the Dodgers to scratch Barnes from the spring lineup on Tuesday, but it obviously wasn't a serious issue and he's back in there a day later. The 34-year-old veteran backstop will enter the 2024 regular season as the primary backup to All-Star Will Smith this year, leaving him almost no fantasy appeal. He hasn't played in 100 games in a season since 2018 and hit a weak .180/.256/.242 with two home runs, 11 RBI and 15 runs scored in 59 games played for the Blue in 2023. Barnes is a career .219 hitter in nine big-league seasons with only 34 homers and 149 RBI in 545 games played.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (head) was removed from Tuesday's game early against the Miami Marlins after taking a backswing to the side of his mask behind the plate, but he said he was OK and has a bruise on his left temple. Will Smith, who had been serving as the designated hitter, replaced Barnes behind the plate. Before leaving the game, Barnes went 0-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout to drop his season average to .168 with a .453 OPS. He was put through the concussion protocol and will be re-evaluated on Wednesday. The 33-year-old backstop isn't completely out of the woods just yet and could still land on the concussion injured list. Barnes is completely off the fantasy radar.
Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher Austin Barnes went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's defeat of the Atlanta Braves. Barnes drew the start with Will Smith getting a routine day off and delivered. Barnes hasn't done much with the bat this year, but has hit six homers. He has also driven in 20 runs with a .222 batting average. With Smith entrenched as the Dodgers starting catcher, Barnes can remain on the waiver wire in all formats.
Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher Austin Barnes went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's victory versus the San Diego Padres. Starting catcher Will Smith homered in the previous two games and it must've rubbed off on his teammate. Barnes has been a serviceable backup for the Dodgers, but can remain on the waiver wire with him only receiving one or two starts a week. He is now hitting .218 with five home runs and 19 RBI.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit home run in Tuesday's loss versus the San Diego Padres. Barnes trimmed the lead to one run after crushing his home run off of Padres closer Mark Melancon, but it wouldn't be enough for the Dodgers to get the victory. Barnes is now hitting .235 with three home runs and 15 RBI. With catcher Will Smith entrenched as the starter, Barnes only has value in favorable matchups as a DFS option.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a solo home run in Saturday's victory versus the San Francisco Giants. Barnes got the start with Will Smith getting the night off and it paid off for the Dodgers. Barnes is only hitting .227 on the season and Saturday's dinger was his first of the season. With Smith being entrenched as the Dodgers everyday starting catcher, Barnes holds most of his value in DFS and can be avoided outside of that.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes will continue to serve as the team's backup as they open up a series against the Marlins beginning Friday. Barnes is not known for his offensive prowess but has done a decent job of getting on base. The veteran backstop is hitting only .212 this season but is posting a .349 on-base percentage with 10 walks through 52 official plate appearances. Barnes, however, carries very little fantasy value heading into the weekend.
Austin Barnes Expected To Return Saturday After Early Exit
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (hand) is expected to be back behind the plate this weekend despite leaving early on Thursday, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com. Manager Dave Roberts said Barnes left the game in the seventh inning with some cuts on his throwing hand, but he still expects Barnes to catch on Saturday. Barnes and Will Smith are splitting time behind the plate for Los Angeles, and if Barnes was to miss any extended time, Smith would see a boost in his value.
Austin Barnes Enters Starting Lineup For Game 2 Thursday
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes will draw the start behind the plate for Game 2 of Thursdays wild-card series versus Milwaukee and right-hander Brandon Woodruff. Barnes caught nine of Clayton Kershaws 10 starts this season, helping the southpaw post a 1.86 ERA while holding the opposition to a .586 OPS. Will Smith will remain in the lineup as the designated hitter, with Joc Pederson not in the starting nine despite having homered twice against Woodruff last season. Barnes has scuffled offensively in 27 playoff contests, having produced just a .459 OPS, limiting his DFS intrigue.
Austin Barnes Has Two Career Bombs Against Patrick Corbin
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes has only 14 career at-bats against the Nationals Game 1 starter,Patrick Corbin, but he has two career home runs to show for it. Barnes took the left-hander deep in 2017 and 2018, which could lead to a Game 1 start for the part-time player. Barnes is hitting only .194 against left-handed pitching this season, so starting him in DFS lineups for Thursday's action would be a dart throw, at best.
