Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Names Emergency Catcher With Will Smith Sidelined

Austin Barnes needs a backup.

Will Smith was initially set to be in the starting lineup for the Dodgers but came in feeling under the weather. With that, Austin Barnes catches Noah Syndergaard for the first time this season. 

One more cascade effect of the illness is the team being left without a backup catcher. Before Friday night's game, manager Dave Roberts settled that issue by naming the emergency backup while Will is out.

It's Max Muncy.

Will Smith is out today with an illness. Emergency catcher is … Max Muncy.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) April 14, 2023

Muncy has never caught a professional inning in his life. He's been a pro since 2012. 

Hopefully, Austin Barnes can keep his cool and not get ejected from the game or we might just get treated to Max Muncy's debut as a big league catcher.

Dave Roberts is hoping to have Smith back in the lineup as soon as Saturday night against the Cubs but couldn't commit to that just yet.