Dodgers lose another veteran to IL and recall slugging prospect

The Dodgers' bad luck continues to spiral, but on the bright side...at least it's not a pitcher this time? During LA's third game against the Braves on Sunday, Austin Barnes was replaced in the fifth inning by Will Smith, pinch hitting and eventually stepping in behind the plate. In the bottom of the fourth, Barnes took a foul ball to the foot off the bat of Jorge Soler, who eventually took first base on catcher interference. Barnes stayed through the bottom of the fourth before being pulled.

X-rays the next day revealed that Barnes had a new fracture in his big toe, different from the one that put him on the IL for 10 days in August. Barnes won't be back through the rest of the regular season, but the Dodgers are optimistic that he'll be able to return for the postseason.

They recalled prospect Hunter Feduccia, Barnes' replacement last time he went onto the IL, to play battery mate with Smith for the time being.

Dodgers send Austin Barnes to IL with a fractured toe, recall prospect Hunter Feduccia

In 52 games, Barnes has been having his best offensive season in years. He's not exactly hitting for power, but no one really expects that of him; he has a .261 average and .327 OBP to make up for it. His last seven games have been outstanding, with a .357 average and .357 OBP. While Smith has been hitting for power, his numbers through the second half of the season have been rough (he batted .194 in August), so he and Barnes were a nice complement to each other offensively as well as defensively.

Feduccia appeared in two games during two separate stints in the majors earier this year and only got three plate appearances, but he did get his first major league hit and walk during those two games. He struggled a bit upon his first return to the minors, batting .189 in August with just one home run and five RBI, but his last five games have been more promising, with three extra-base hits and three RBI.

At least Barnes' prognosis is somewhat hopeful, and the Dodgers haven't lost their primary catcher. Still, it's far from ideal for a team that just keeps losing veterans left and right. The pitching injuries almost certainly point to a deeper organizational issue, but Barnes' injury is just bad luck and bad timing.