Although there are many, it’s hard to argue that Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling and back-up catcher / utility infielder Kyle Farmer are two of the absolute nicest guys on the team. They both have something else in common as well. They are both on the bubble for making the Dodgers Opening Day 25-man roster. But while the 28-year-old Stripling may have an edge over the 27-year-old Farmer to do so, the Atlanta, Georgia native and Dodgers 2013 eighth-round draft pick’s chances may have just improved significantly – but at a potentially huge cost.

On Thursday morning, it was being widely reported that Dodgers fan-favorite catcher Austin Barnes is dealing with what is being called “elbow discomfort” in his right (throwing) arm; something that has been ailing the 28-year-old Fullerton, California native throughout the off-season.

You certainly can’t fault Dodgers manager Dave Roberts for (trying to) minimize the potential severity of Barnes’ elbow discomfort, and we all most certainly hope and pray that “slow-playing” it over the remaining five weeks of spring training will do the trick. But let’s be real here – how successful has such treatment with pitchers and even position players dealing with elbow discomfort been in the past?

According to reports, Barnes was already experiencing elbow discomfort when he arrived at Camelback Ranch for spring training; which means that he was experiencing it when he caught Ross Stripling’s first bullpen session on February 13. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Again, we all hope that this works for Barnes, whose great second half last season led to him becoming the Dodgers everyday catcher ahead of Yasmani Grandal late in the regular season and through the entire postseason.

But what if it doesn’t?

Check out what Roberts said when asked specifically if Farmer was going to be looked at as a utility infielder this spring or primarily as a catcher.

“Kyle is going to be our third catcher,” Roberts answered succinctly. “And being a third catcher is a really good place to be.”

After making his MLB debut on July 30, 2017, Farmer appeared in eight games with the Dodgers – four at third base, three at catcher, and one at first base. He went 6-for-20 (.300) at the plate, including a walk-off double in his first major league at-bat. There is now an increasing chance that he may be the Dodgers back-up catcher on Opening Day. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As of this writing, Farmer is still the Dodgers third catcher. But Lord forbid, should Barnes’ elbow issue end up being more serious than what it is currently thought to be, Farmer could – and undoubtedly would – move into the number two spot behind Grandal, who Roberts had already (more or less) penciled in as his Opening Day catcher ahead of Barnes.

“Austin really made his mark last year as a major league player and got some opportunities and really performed in high-leverage situations, defensively [and] his rapport with pitchers,” Roberts said. “And Yasmani started off well, kind of cooled off at the end, but he’s in great shape, as is Austin, and for me it’s just continuing to watch these guys grow as players.

“But to say who’s going to be the starter, Yasmani obviously had more opportunities, more at-bats, more playing time, and I see that again,” Roberts added. “But like I said at FanFest, Austin has earned the right to get opportunities.”

What Roberts didn’t say, of course, is that Grandal will receive $7.9 million in 2018, having signed a one-year deal on January 11, 2018 to avoid salary arbitration. Farmer, on the other hand, will receive the 2018 MLB minimum of $545,000, as will Austin Barnes, who will become arbitration eligible in 2020.

Interestingly enough, Farmer, with whom I spoke prior to Roberts, came into spring training with a slightly different vision; a vision which undoubted shifted a bit in light of this latest Barnes news.

“Me playing multiple positions I think helps, so we’ll just see how it goes,” said Farmer. “First day, just trying to get out there.”

Farmer acknowledged that his ‘multiple positions’ thing was a big part of his off-season workouts.

“I worked a little bit on the infield stuff, at third, and first, and maybe a little bit at second,” he said. “Wherever they decide to put me, I’m just happy to be in the lineup.”

Keep your mask, shin guards, and chest protector at the ready, Kyle.