ST. LOUIS -- The Dodgers optioned left-hander Julio Urías to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled infielder/catcher Austin Barnes before starting a three-game series against the Cardinals on Friday night.
Urias made a spot start against the Nationals on Thursday and gave up one run on five hits over four innings. He has a 4.69 ERA in nine starts for the Dodgers this season. Los Angeles has won the last five games Urias has started.
Barnes, who is ranked as the Dodgers' No. 12 prospect, was slashing .299/.383/.454 with 17 steals for Oklahoma City this season. He started 45 games at catcher and 10 at second base, also seeing time at third base (seven starts) and center field (one). He was 2-for-19 in two prior stints with the Dodgers this season.
"Austin is here because he has the versatility, No. 1, and he's playing well, No. 2," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He just kind of gave us some coverage."

Los Angeles will stay with four starters through at least the next series with Tampa Bay, according to Roberts. He left the option open to bring in a fifth starter, but said it wouldn't be Urias, the club's No. 1-ranked prospect.
Worth noting
• Yasiel Puig was kept out of the lineup Friday as a precaution after leaving Thursday's game with hamstring tightness. He tested it before the game Friday and told Roberts he was at 85 percent.
"There is a chance he could be out there tomorrow," Roberts said. "But for me, I'm really looking at starting him on Sunday against whoever is out there."
• Corey Seager returned to the lineup after he missed three games with a flu bug he caught during the Washington series. He said he lost a few pounds in the past few days and finally was able to eat a half-piece of chicken last night for dinner.
"I think it was the best thing I've ever eaten in my life," Seager said.