Austin Barnes, Kiké Hernandez, Chris Heisey start first game of doubleheader for Dodgers

The Dodgers will give Austin Barnes the start at catcher in the first game of a split doubleheader on Tuesday against the Rockies.

With the return of Yasmani Grandal from the disabled list on Saturday, the Dodgers decided to carry three catchers for the short term, likely with this doubleheader in mind. A.J. Ellis started at catcher on Monday night.

Barnes made one previous start in his first big league stint, going 1-for-3 on May 24. Since then Barnes has played in three of seven games, catching two innings and appearing as a pinch runner twice.

It is conceivable that the Dodgers could option Barnes back to Triple-A in between games of Tuesday's doubleheader, perhaps for a relief pitcher, which might make sense considering this first game is essentially a bullpen game for the Dodgers.

Juan Nicasio, who has excelled in relief for the Dodgers this season, starts Game 1 on Tuesday, with new acquisition Ian Thomas called up for the day as the 26th man, allowed for doubleheaders. Thomas will wear No. 58, per Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA.

Alex Guerrero starts in left field against the left-hander Jorge De La Rosa. So far this season (small sample size, of course) Guerrero actually has better numbers against right-handers (1.055 OPS) than against southpaws, 7-for-27 (.259) with two home runs and a double (.755 OPS).

The Dodgers will also start right-handers Kiké Hernandez at shortstop and Chris Heisey in right field. Heisey was recalled to replace Scott Van Slyke, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The Dodgers are 2-5 against left-handed starting pitchers this season, including 1-1 in games started by De La Rosa, winning at Coors Field on May 10 and losing at Dodger Stadium on May 16. The club has faced only four southpaws all season — Madison Bumgarner three times, De La Rosa twice (third start Tuesday), James Paxton and Alex Wood.

Carlos Gonzalez returns to the Rockies lineup on Tuesday after sitting on Monday, and Troy Tulowitzki sits. Daniel Descalso starts at shortstop for Colorado. I enjoyed this lineup quirk, noticed by Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

Gonzalez bats third and Barnes bats eighth - for both teams.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 2, 2015