Dodgers Call Up Barnes, Move Smith to 60-Day IL as Catcher Injury Compounds

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of left-hander Charlie Barnes, bringing the pitcher into the organization after claiming him off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. The promotion required roster maneuvering that included optioning right-hander Landon Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City and transferring catcher Will Smith to the 60-day injured list.

Smith's move to the 60-day IL signals a longer-term absence for the Dodgers' starting catcher, a significant blow to a team that relies on his production behind the plate. The transfer opens up the necessary 40-man roster spot while ensuring Smith's status doesn't occupy a regular IL slot as he recovers.

Barnes, 30, adds veteran depth to a Dodgers pitching staff navigating the stretch run of the season. At that age, pitchers claim-off-waivers often serve as mid-tier depth options rather than star acquisitions, but the Dodgers may have seen something in his profile worth developing in their system. The move represents strategic opportunism in waiver-wire acquisitions during the second half.

Knack's demotion to the minors clears the active roster, allowing the Dodgers to bring in Barnes without further scrambling. This type of move suggests Los Angeles is evaluating options and potentially managing workload for certain arms heading into the final stretch of the season.

For bettors, Smith's extended absence at a premium defensive position could influence game dynamics and pitcher-specific prop bets involving Dodgers matchups. The loss of a quality starter behind the plate affects team defense metrics that sharper sportsbooks monitor closely when adjusting totals and spreads for Los Angeles games.

Source: original report ↗