The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Thursday that they have activated Austin Barnes from the 10-day injured list and optioned Will Smith to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Barnes will only miss the minimum required 10 days after suffering a left groin strain against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 26. Smith, who is one of the top prospects in the Dodgers organization, was called up from Oklahoma City to replace him and get his first taste of big league action.
Smith actually fared quite well as Barnes’ replacement, hitting a walk-off home run to help beat the Philadelphia Phillies for his first career long ball and then going deep again in Wednesday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.