Dodgers send Austin Barnes, O'Koyea Dickson, Erisbel Arruebarrena to minor league camp

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Arguably the busiest day of Dodgers spring training camp to date saw even more attrition as three position players were sent to the minor league side on Monday. The club optioned catcher Austin Barnes and reassigned infielders Erisbel Arruebarrena and O`Koyea Dickson to minor league camp after a 10-5 win over the Athletics at Camelback Ranch.

That, coupled with five pitchers getting optioned to the minors before Monday's game brought the total remaining in major league camp to 50, including 24 position players, 26 pitchers, and 14 non-roster invitees.

Barnes is one of three catchers on the 40-man roster, along with Yasmani Grandal and A.J. Ellis. a Acquired from the Marlins in a three-team trade in December, Barnes appeared in 10 Cactus League games, going 2-for-11 (.182) with a triple, two walks and a sacrifice fly.

Dickson was one of the hitting stars of early camp, going 5-for-14 (.357) with two home runs and a double. Manager Don Mattingly talked generally about several Dodgers young players hitting well in camp.

"The guys have been swinging the bats good. We've been talking about it all spring. We saw it early in their BPs, their at-bats and the way they have gone about their business," Mattingly said. "But at the same time we talk about not judging spring training. The seasons will tell. But it is good to see them, and see them doing well."

Arruebarrena will earn $3 million in the second year of a five-year, $25 million contract before last season. He was designated for assignment in December and removed from the 40-man roster. Arruebarrena was 2-for-14 with a hit by pitch in eight Cactus League games, but went out on a high note with the start of this tremendous double play at second base in the eighth inning on Monday.