The Dodgers activated catcher Austin Barnes off the injured list after missing the minimum 10 days with a fracture in his left great big toe. He starts behind the plate on Thursday against the Orioles, batting ninth and catching Bobby Miller.
Barnes suffered the injury on August 18 in St. Louis, and was placed on the IL the next day. Hunter Feduccia was called up for his second stint in the majors and made his first MLB start on Sunday, when he had a hit and a walk against the Rays.
That was the only time Feduccia played in the eight games Barnes missed.
Barnes said Tuesday the toe doesn’t affect him much while squatting, and he was able to run, do baseball drills, and take simulated at-bats against minor league pitchers the last two days at Dodger Stadium.
“I think there might be some discomfort, but my expectation is that he’s going to be in the lineup [Thursday],” manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday. “If he can’t go, we’ll push him to another day and have [Feduccia] start.”
Barnes this season is hitting .241/.318/.284 with a 76 wRC+.
