Julio Urias has made nine starts for the Dodgers this season, including Thursday in Washington D.C. He was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday. (Associated Press photo)

The Dodgers optioned Julio Urias to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday and recalled catcher/infielder Austin Barnes. Barnes is with the team for tonight’s game in St. Louis against the Cardinals.

Urias allowed one run in four innings yesterday against the Washington Nationals, and did not factor into the decision in the Dodgers’ 6-3 win. He’s 1-2 with a 4.69 earned run average in nine major league starts this year.

By rule, the Dodgers aren’t allowed to recall Urias from the minor leagues unless another player is injured. Since the team has placed 22 different players on the disabled list — already matching the most by any National League team in the last 30 years — Urias might well be back soon.

But the Dodgers were attempting to limit Urias’ innings by working him out of the Oklahoma City bullpen when he was summoned for his spot start Thursday. A return to the Triple-A bullpen is likely next.

Julio Urias in OKC clubhouse already. Pitching coach Matt Herges said plan for Urias TBD.

— Jacob Unruh (@jacobunruh) July 22, 2016

Barnes is in his third stint with the big league club after making the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster this season. He hit safely in his last eight games for the OKC Dodgers and batted .299 with a .383 on-base percentage, 16 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 32 RBI in 63 games.

At Triple-A, Barnes has split his time at catcher (46 games), second base (11), center field (1) and third base (8). He’s 2 for 19 with an RBI in 10 major league games, while appearing in four games at catcher and four games at second base.

The Dodgers will have a five-man bench and an eight-man bullpen tonight. They have two off-days next week (Monday and Thursday) which might allow them to maintain a four-man rotation for the time being.