*This content was translated by AI.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have suddenly called up left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes (31), who previously played for the KBO League Lotte Giants, to fill the void left by left-handed ace Blake Snell (34), who has been placed on the injured list (IL) due to elbow discomfort. Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner (2018 season, 2023 season), is now out.
The Dodgers announced on the 16th (Korean time) that "Snell was placed on the injured list (IL) after loose bodies were discovered in his left elbow, and accordingly, Barnes has been added to the active roster (26-man roster)."
This is a painful blow for the Dodgers. Snell, who had been a cornerstone of the starting rotation with his powerful pitching, has been sidelined due to elbow issues, creating a gap in the roster.
Snell, who finished his first game of the season with three innings and five earned runs (four earned) against the Atlanta Braves on the 10th, was originally scheduled to start against the Los Angeles Angels on the 16th, but the start was hastily changed to right-handed pitcher Will Klein. He appears to be taking on a role closer to that of an 'opener.'
Ultimately, the Dodgers chose Barnes, who had been performing well in the minor leagues and waiting for an opportunity, to fill Snell's void. Barnes has appeared in seven Triple-A games this season (four starts), posting a record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and an ERA of 3.04. However, while playing for the Cubs this season, he appeared in only one game, pitched three innings, and posted an ERA of 9.00, which was not good.
In fact, Barnes is a very familiar player to Korean baseball fans. He made a deep impression as the 'left-handed ace' of the KBO League Lotte Giants. After wearing the Lotte uniform in the 2022 season, he recorded 35 wins, 32 losses, and an ERA of 3.58 in 94 career games, pitching a total of 553 innings and firmly supporting the team's mound.
In particular, he took responsibility for 186⅓ innings in his debut season of 2022, achieving 10 wins for two consecutive years, and also secured 9 wins in the 2024 season, establishing himself as a symbol of consistency. Although he had to leave Lotte regretfully in May 2025 due to an injury to his left subscapularis muscle, he left a touching farewell message at the time, saying, "Memories made in Korea will be remembered forever."
Barnes has ultimately shed the injury he suffered at Lotte and returned to Major League Baseball with the Dodgers after going through the minor leagues. It remains to be seen whether he, who proved his extensive starting experience and excellent durability on the Korean stage, can become a new relief pitcher for the Dodgers' pitching staff.
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*This content was translated by AI.
