Injury Bug Bites Dodgers Again

According to David Vassegh, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes has a broken left big toe. It was fractured by a foul ball in the third inning of Los Angeles’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Barnes was able to finish the last seven innings of the game, but the backup catcher says the toe is “bloody and painful.”

Hunter Feduccia has been called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. He will be activated before tonight’s game against the Seattle Mariners. This is the second time up for Feduccia this season. He took Freddie Freeman‘s roster spot when Freeman went on the Family Emergency list due to his son’s illness.

Austin Barnes told me he has a fracture in his left big toe. Played thru it the last 7 innings yesterday. Hunter Feduccia is here to be activated.

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 19, 2024

Dodgers’ Austin Barnes Suffers Broken Big Toe

A Revolving Door

This is just the latest in what has been an injury-plagued season for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have all spent significant time on the injured list this year. Although Barnes is the backup catcher who plays twice a week at most, he is known for his expertise in handling the pitching staff. In addition, Barnes has had a resurgence of sorts with the bat. He has a .241 batting average, his best in five years. This has been a pleasant surprise, since All-Star catcher Will Smith has been struggling to hit .200 over the last month.

It is unclear how much time Barnes will miss.

Dodg(er)ing a Bullet

Austin Barnes’ injury comes on the heels of Freddie Freeman exiting Saturday’s game in St. Louis after jamming his finger while fielding a ball. However, Fabian Ardaya reported that Freeman was on the field this afternoon taking defensive drills and throwing with a wrap on his finger. He is penciled into tonight’s lineup and will attempt to play through the injury.

Freddie Freeman is in the starting lineup despite a hairline fracture in his right middle finger. #Dodgers

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) August 19, 2024

Other Roster Moves

In addition to Feduccia, Max Muncy and Tommy Edman have also been activated today. Fabian Ardaya is reporting that Nick Ahmed‘s and Andy Pages‘ lockers have been cleared out.