Dodgers Postseason News: Austin Barnes will be Back, Ríos and Garlick Will Not be Recalled

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that two members of the Triple-A Oklahoma City roster, right-handed hitting outfielder Kyle Garlick and corner infielder Edwin Ríos, will not be receiving promotions as September roster additions, according to Alanna Rizzo of Sports Net LA.

Roberts said Edwin Rios & Kyle Garlick will not be called up again this season. #Dodgers

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 3, 2019

This is a very odd development considering the amount of remaining space the Dodgers maintain on the active roster, but Dave Roberts provided a reason with substance on Tuesday night:

The Dodgers want to keep their September roster reasonably small, so the season is over for Edwin Ríos, Kyle Garlick and the rest of the OKC team. Austin Barnes, as the third catcher, is the exception. He’ll be back Friday.

— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) September 3, 2019

Austin Barnes will also be returning to the Dodgers. Brace yourselves.

Most teams see their active roster numbers rise into the thirties in terms of players in September, but the Dodgers plan to take a different approach this season than expected.

Barnes, 29, struggled all season long with the Dodgers, posting just a 64 wRC+ across 71 games. He figures to be the Dodgers’ third string catcher down the stretch and could vie for the backup role in the playoffs. He has struggled, but he knows the pitching staff as well as anyone and it is not like veteran Russell Martin is setting the world on fire with his stick.

Garlick, 27, revitalized his career with Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2019 and was more than deserving of a September call-up, regardless of the playing time the Dodgers could afford him. For Oklahoma City, Garlick was one of the best hitters in the Pacific Coast League, mashing a .314/.382/.675 line, 145 wRC+, and 23 home runs in 81 games.

Ríos, the 25-year-old corner infielder consistently ranked amongst the Dodgers top-15 prospects the past few seasons, was excellent in limited time at the big league level. He smashed a .286/.419/.571 slash line across 17 games with the Dodgers as the season comes to a close for him. He also hit 31 home runs and drove in 91 runs in 104 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

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