IF Spring Training were an audition and IF the backup catcher spot were up for grabs, Chris Okey might have a leg up after his two-hit game yesterday, which featured a 3-run home run. However, Austin Barnes is the backup catcher and it will likely stay that way for the rest of this year… barring injury of course! Why is that? you might ask, and that is a very good question. There is a simple answer, although some may not like it, but here it is:
The Dodgers feel that any incremental improvement over Barnes offense would be more than offset by what effect he has on the pitching staff.