UPDATE: Dodgers reportedly call up catcher Will Smith

ThinkBlue LA has learned from a trusted source that 24-year-old catcher Will Smith has been called up to the Dodgers to (apparently) replace 29-year-old / five-year MLB veteran catcher Austin Barnes, who left Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates for what was being called left groin soreness.

At Triple-A Oklahoma City, Smith was hitting .290 / .404 / .551 / .954, with eight home runs, two triples, and eight doubles. He has also driven in 28 runs for the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate.

This past spring, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman called Smith “A Hall of Fame catcher.” It appears that Smith’s journey to Cooperstown has (unofficially) begun. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

On the season Barnes was slashing .231 / .345 / .393 / .738, with four home runs and four doubles, while driving in 14.

There has been no official confirmation from the Dodgers on the move yet, or if Barnes has, in fact, been placed on the injured list.

Stay tuned…

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Updated May 27, 2019 at 2:35 pm PT

The move has been confirmed by the Dodgers. Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes has been placed on the 10-day injured list and catcher Will Smith has been called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

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7 Responses to “UPDATE: Dodgers reportedly call up catcher Will Smith”

  1. Tweetmix Tweetmix says:

    If true, we finally get to see Smith. But I do want Barney back ASAP.

  2. Clyle Alt Clyle Alt says:

    I’ve been looking forward to this. Wishing Will the best of luck.

  3. Manuel says:

    Knew he was on his way the moment Barnes left yesterday’s game with that groin injury. Didn’t even see his name penciled in OKC’s lineup today, but saw Garlick’s instead. Timing couldn’t have been more perfect as Smith has caught fire again of late down there and his OBP is well over .400 for good measure. Praying he’s up for good as he’s a more well-rounder player behind the plate than either Barnes or Martin, plus he possesses middle-of-the-order power now and can definitely fill in at 3B no problem should Turner need a scheduled rest day.

    Verdugo, Beaty, and now Smith, glad to see more of these kids finally coming up to do some heavy lifting this season for the Dodgers. Can’t wait for Dennis Santana, Mitchell White, and Tony Gonsolin (who just came off the IL for OKC last night, WOO-HOO!!!) to join them sooner rather than later…

  4. Well, let’s put it this way,if you who are here or even not here believe I am happy and relieved that Gale was not the one to be brought up here and Smith gets the call, you would be correct. There is absolutely NO and I mean NO reason for us to see Gale, that ‘robust ‘ hitter at OKC again in Dodger Blue! OH he he hitting a resounding .122 in OKC…Wow! I am choking with emotion just thinking about that, LOL

    • Manuel says:

      Buddy, you’re not the only one around here who’s choking up with emotion (LOL)! As if they couldn’t bring up Smith the first time when Martin went down with that back problem earlier this season, I mean COME ON already!
      XD

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