Dodgers' Austin Barnes: Draws starting nod Thursday

Barnes will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Barnes will pick up his sixth start of the season while top backstop Will Smith gets a breather as the Dodgers and Nationals close their series with a day game after a night game. Over 19 plate appearances to date, Barnes has batted .250 with no extra-base hits, one RBI and one run.