Dodgers activate Barnes, option Smith

The Dodgers activated catcher Austin Barnes from the 10-day injured list Thursday ahead of their series opener Friday against the Giants.

That means Will Smith is headed back to the Minors for now. Los Angeles optioned Smith to Triple-A Oklahoma City in the corresponding move to make room for Barnes.

Barnes, who was out with a left groin strain, last played on May 26. He played two rehab games at Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga before returning to the Dodgers, going 2-for-5 with a run scored. The 29-year-old is hitting .231/.345/.393 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 40 games with Los Angeles this season.

His injury created the room for Smith to make his Major League debut. The Dodgers called up the 24-year-old catcher -- ranked the team's No. 5 prospect and the No. 9 catching prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline -- to replace Barnes on May 27.

In his first six big league games, Smith hit .286/.348/.619 with a pair of homers, including a walk-off shot against the Phillies on Saturday at Dodger Stadium for his first career home run. Smith has also caught two of four basestealers behind the plate.