James Outman was demoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City in May because the Los Angeles Dodgers needed a roster spot for Jason Heyward coming off the injured list, and now the outfielders have replaced one another for a second time.
The Dodgers put Heyward on the 10-day IL on Friday because of a left knee bone bruise. There had been initial concern he suffered structural damage, but manager Dave Roberts said an MRI revealed the meniscus and other ligaments in Heyward’s left knee remained intact.
Although Outman is a natural replacement for Heyward in the outfield platoon arrangement, he’s not always going to receive those starts.
“He’s certainly going to play versus right, but there’s going to be some right-handers as I look out that I want to give (Miguel) Vargas some opportunity as well in left field,” Roberts explained.
Outman hit just .147/.250/.266 with four doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI through 36 games with the Dodgers before getting optioned.
He fared much better upon joining Oklahoma City, batting .279/.393/.531 with eight doubles, nine home runs and 21 RBI through 38 games.
“He’s been playing really well,” Roberts said. “I think the average, on-base and slug is a little bit of some struggles versus left-hand pitching. But versus right-handed pitching, he’s been fantastic.”
Outman was not yet in the lineup for the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Vargas made the most of his rare start, hitting a home run in the Dodgers’ loss.
James Outman pairing with Andy Pages
One reason Outman was the choice to get sent to the Minors when Heyward returned from a back injury was the emergence of Andy Pages.
The Dodgers rookie has essentially become an everyday player, and that’s going to remain the case even as Outman receives starts in center field.
“Pages will be in right field when [Outman] is in,” Roberts said. “He’ll be in every day though.”
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