The Dodgers optioned Darwin Barney to Triple-A Oklahoma City and selected the contract of pitcher David Huff. Huff is starting tonight’s game against the Seattle Mariners.
Barney, a reserve infielder, made his only start of the young season at shortstop Monday in the Dodgers’ 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners. He went 0-for-3.
Barney’s primary value to the Dodgers lies in his glove; he once won a Gold Glove award at second base and was also the primary backup to shortstop Jimmy Rollins. But the Dodgers already had each infield position covered on their bench between Alex Guerrero, Justin Turner and Scott Van Slyke, and of that group only Barney could be optioned to the minors without giving his permission.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly declined to say whether Huff would remain on the Dodgers’ 25-man roster beyond tonight.