Dodgers Injury Notes: Tony Cingrani and Austin Barnes Injured

The Dodgers have two players currently ailing after Tony Cingrani suffered a setback in his rehab and Austin Barnes injured his groin.

The Dodgers’ have had much better luck with injuries in 2019 after an injury-plagued 2018 season.  Lately, the injuries have begun to strike with Austin Barnes and Tony Cingrani the latest players injured.  Austin Barnes left Sunday’s series finale against the Pirates with a groin injury.  It’s not yet known how serious the groin injury is.

OKC Dodger backstop Will Smith did not start Sunday so he could possibly be called up soon if Barnes’ injury turns out to be a lock term thing.  Rocky Gale is the other Dodger catcher who has been up this season but he prefers close to nothing offensively and is only on the forty man roster for his defense.  With Russell Martin now thirty-six years old, the Dodgers will not want to start him every game if Barnes does miss significant time.

The injury comes at a bad time for Austin Barnes as he had been hitting the ball much better lately.  Over his last fifteen games, Barnes has posted a .273/.385/.432 slash line while providing his usual above average defense and pitch framing.  If Barnes does miss significant time then this could be Will Smith’s first big opportunity in the big leagues.

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Tony Cingrani also suffered a setback in his rehab assignment with the OKC Dodgers.  Cingrani felt more shoulder pain and is set to undergo an MRI.  The Dodgers had been looking forward to Cingrani’s return with Caleb Ferguson and Scott Alexander both struggling to find their 2018 form.  Then there is the open investigation currently facing Julio Urias.

If the Dodgers do turn to the trade market to find an additional left-handed specialist, Amir Garrett could be one possible trade option.  The Giants also have a pair of left-handed relievers in Tony Watson and Will Smith who could appeal to the Dodgers, although trades between the two NL West rivals does not occur very often.  There is also the fact that Farhan Zaidi knowns the Dodgers’ farm system better than any other rival GM.

There should be more information coming on Cingrani and Barnes with the Dodgers returning to Los Angeles and both likely to undergo an MRI.  With no more off days until June 6th, the Dodgers will not wait long to IL Austin Barnes if necessary and get another catcher up to Los Angeles.  When more news comes out you can catch the latest here at Dodgers Way.