The Dodgers optioned Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
Outman was included on the Dodgers' season-opening 26-man active roster for the club's two-game set in Tokyo versus the Cubs this week, but he didn't appear in either contest. The 27-year-old functioned as the team's fourth outfielder in Japan, but since utility men Chris Taylor, Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez are all capable of playing both the infield and outfield, the Dodgers should be able to get by without Outman.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Will travel with team to Japan
Rotowire
Outman will be included on the Dodgers' 31-man travel roster for their season-opening two-game series in Japan versus the Cubs on March 18 and 19, but it's not yet decided whether he'll be included on the active roster, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Before the two-game set against the Cubs, the Dodgers will play a pair of exhibition contests against teams in the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization. While Outman will make the trip to Tokyo and could play in the exhibitions, a spot on Los Angeles' Opening Day roster is far from a certainty. After a promising rookie campaign, the outfielder struggled in 2024, posting a meager .521 OPS with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate over 156 plate appearances. Punchouts have continued to be a problem this spring -- Outman has fanned a team-leading 14 times in 29 plate appearances, though he has contributed one home run, five RBI and two stolen bases.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Back in majors
Rotowire
Outman was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.
With Kevin Kiermaier (dislocated finger) likely unavailable Sunday, Outman will offer quality defense and lefty power off the bench. Justin Wrobleski was optioned in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Dodgers optioned Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
The return of Miguel Rojas (forearm) from the injured list will squeeze Outman off the big-league roster and back to the minor leagues. After returning to the majors in late July, the 27-year-old outfielder appeared in seven games and went just 1-for-11 with a home run and two runs scored. He will likely be on the short list for a return to the majors should the Dodgers run into depth problems in the outfield down the stretch.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Clubs fourth homer
Rotowire
Outman went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Astros.
This was Outman's first hit in his last 10 major-league contests. The outfielder opened the scoring with a fifth-inning blast. For the season, Outman has four homers, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored and two stolen bases while slashing a meager .152/.248/.273 over 149 plate appearances. The 27-year-old is likely to continue seeing a limited role, though he has started in center field for the Dodgers' last two games versus right-handed pitchers. That suggests he could force his way into a platoon role with Andy Pages, who has hit just .208 with a punchless .522 OPS over 21 games in July.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Dodgers recalled Outman from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
He will absorb the roster spot vacated by Chris Taylor (groin). Outman has slashed a woeful .153/.250/.258 in 45 games with the big club this season and will not be guaranteed regular at-bats while on the active roster.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: On bench against lefty again
Rotowire
Outman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.
Since his call-up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Outman has now started in two of the Dodgers' five games. The last two absences have come while the Dodgers have faced left-handed pitching, so the lefty-hitting Outman could still be poised to occupy the larger side of a platoon in the outfield with Miguel Vargas while Jason Heyward (knee) is on the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Rejoins big-league club
Rotowire
The Dodgers recalled Outman from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
With Jason Heyward (knee) headed for the injured list, Outman will get the call back to Los Angeles in order to replenish the Dodgers' outfield depth. Since being demoted to Triple-A in May, the 27-year-old has slashed .285/.396/.556 with 10 homers and 22 RBI in 182 plate appearances. He isn't likely to see regular playing time while Heyward is sidelined, but there's a chance Outman makes an occasional start against right-handed pitchers in order to give one of the Dodgers' usual starters a breather.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Dodgers optioned Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.
After a successful 2023 campaign, Outman has struggled mightily to begin 2024, slashing just .147/.250/.266 across 124 plate appearances. He'll now look to get back on track in the minors, though a significant turnaround would likely be required before the Dodgers consider calling him back up. Outman's demotion likely spells consistent playing time in center field for Andy Pages and clears a roster spot for Jason Heyward (back) to return from the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Swipes second bag
Rotowire
Outman went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run and a stolen base Tuesday in a 10-2 win against the Giants.
Batting out of the No. 9 hole, Outman reached base twice for the first time since May 4 and knocked just his second extra-base hit since April 24. It's been a struggle for the outfielder in his sophomore MLB campaign, as he's slashing a meager .155/.256/.282 with three homers, 10 RBI, two steals and a 31.6 percent strikeout rate through 117 plate appearances. He's gone 2-for-22 with 10 punchouts over eight games in May.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Heads to bench Sunday
Rotowire
Outman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
Andy Pages will draw the start in center field while Outman retreats to the bench for the series finale. Outman went hitless across six at-bats while starting in the first two games of the series, bringing his batting average down to .153 for the season.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Idle against lefty
Rotowire
Outman is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
The lefty-hitting Outman will retreat to the bench Wednesday with southpaw Ryan Weathers taking the hill for Miami. He'll be replaced in center field by Andy Pages.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Batting ninth Monday
Rotowire
Outman will start in center field and bat ninth in Monday's game versus the Marlins.
Outman has mostly batted seventh this season, but he hit eighth in his last two starts and is now down in the nine spot for the first time since July of 2023. He entered play Monday hitting just .107/.219/.143 across his last nine contests.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Out versus lefty
Rotowire
Outman isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks.
The lefty-hitting Outman will begin the game on the bench for the second straight day with Arizona starting another southpaw, Jordan Montgomery. Chris Taylor, Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernandez will round out the Dodgers' outfield Tuesday.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Sits down against lefty
Rotowire
Outman isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Saturday's game against Toronto.
The lefty-hitting Outman will take a seat Saturday with southpaw Yusei Kikuchi set to start on the mound for the Jays. Chris Taylor, Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernandez will start across Los Angeles' outfield while Outman watches from the dugout.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Gets Thursday off
Rotowire
Outman is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.
With the Dodgers and Nationals concluding their series with a day game after a night game and with southpaw MacKenzie Gore on the bump for Washington, Outman is one of three lefty-hitting regulars who will get the afternoon off. Outman will be joined on the bench by Gavin Lux and Max Muncy.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: On bench vs. lefty
Rotowire
Outman is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.
Outman started the previous four games -- including one start against a southpaw -- but the young outfielder will sit Wednesday with lefty Kyle Harrison pitching for San Francisco. Enrique Hernandez will take over in center field and bat seventh.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Enjoying strong spring
Rotowire
Outman is slashing .429/.556/.929 with two home runs, four RBI, four runs, three stolen bases and a 3:6 BB:K through 17 Cactus League plate appearances.
Half of Outman's six hits thus far have gone for extra bases, with two leaving the yard. He also leads Los Angeles with three thefts in spring play. Outman enjoyed an excellent spring last year too, which earned him a spot on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster and led to him settling in as the team's primary center fielder. He's expected to retain that role in 2024, and he'll be looking to build upon a strong rookie campaign that included a .248/.353/.437 slash line with 23 homers, 70 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Outman could show further growth by cutting down his 31.9 percent strikeout rate, though his 12.3 percent walk rate last year made the punchouts more palatable. The 26-year-old has his flaws, but his 20/20 potential makes him an intriguing outfield target in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Takes seat for Game 3
Rotowire
Outman is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks.
Enrique Hernandez will start in center field and bat seventh as the Dodgers aim to avoid a three-game sweep. Outman went 0-for-5 with a walk and three strikeouts over the first two games of the best-of-five series.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' James Outman: Clubs 22nd homer
Rotowire
Outman went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Giants.
Outman is still searching for a multi-hit game in September, having gone 12-for-66 (.181) this month. He's made up for the slump a bit with five homers and nine RBI over his last 21 contests, and he's still seeing most of the playing time in center field. Outman is up to 22 long balls, 68 RBI, 81 runs scored, 15 stolen bases and a .244/.351/.434 slash line through 145 games this year.
