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Austin Barnes Dealing With Contusion on Side of Head

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Dodgers
By Jacob Zinder | Last updated 9/7/23

Austin Barnes was involved in a scary moment during the Dodgers' Tuesday game against the Miami Marlins.

In the seventh inning with Barnes catching, Marlins catcher Nick Fortes hit Barnes directly to the side of his head and temple area during a long backswing after a swing and miss.

The veteran catcher was visibly and understandably shaken up but was able to stay in for the rest of the inning, before getting taken out of the game for a pinch hitter.

Fortunately, Barnes cleared the concussion protocol and is just dealing with a minor head injury.

Both Dodgers catchers have now been hit in the head due to long backswings. Will Smith was struck by Marcell Ozuna's backswing earlier in the year in Atlanta. That incident pulled Smith's facemask off, while this recent incident hit Barnes square in the temple.

“It got me good. Really squared me up,” Barnes said. “I’ve never been hit like that before.”

(via Bill Plunkett, The Orange County Register)

Barnes is not having a good year offensively, hitting a poor .168 average on the year with a .453 OPS.

The offense has never been a strong suit for Barnes but he still has been reliable behind the plate and one of the good clubhouse guys that many baseball teams have on the roster.

However, in the last 30 days, Barnes has been finding his swing.

In 31 at-bats this last month, Barnes is hitting a .290 average with a .764 OPS including one home run and 2 RBIs.

The veteran backstop is able to take innings at catcher to help Will Smith not experience as much fatigue as he would if he were catching every day, and with the Dodgers' focus set on the World Series, they will need all the energy they can get.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Dodgers and was syndicated with permission.

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