James Outman continued his bid to make the Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day roster by tying for the game-high with two hits in a 7-6 win over the Kansas City Royals. The victory amounted to the Dodgers going undefeated at Surprise Stadium this spring.
After collecting a leadoff single in the second inning and scoring a run, Outman put the Dodgers ahead in the fourth with his first home run of the spring.
Jason Heyward extended the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning with his second solo homer in Cactus League play. Both of Heyward’s home runs this spring have come at Surprise Stadium, with the first being hit against the Texas Rangers earlier in the week.
Heyward had already appeared to have an inside track to making the Dodgers’ roster for the 2023 season, but Gavin Lux’s injury has created an opening that Outman figures to be in the conversation for.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the team is evaluating options, both internally and externally, and are open to adding an outfielder or infielder.
The Royals tied the game with Michael Massey’s two-run homer off Landon Knack in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Prior to that point, the Royals’ only run came against Ryan Pepiot in the first inning. Pepiot otherwise finished with four strikeouts over two innings of work in his second Spring Training start.
Brusdar Graterol and Caleb Ferguson followed Pepiot with a scoreless inning each. Knack initially extended that streak in the fifth before running into trouble in the sixth inning.
Trayce Thompson put the Dodgers back in the lead with an RBI double in the seventh inning. A throwing error to second base on David Freitas’ stolen base then allowed Thompson to score. Eddys Leonard broke the game open with a two-run double.
Adam Kolarek allowed two runs in the eighth inning, and Jordan Yamamoto surrendered a solo homer in the ninth.
James Outman not focusing on Dodgers roster competition
During an interview with DodgerBlue.com, Outman explained his focus is simply on improving each day.
“I know there’s an opportunity there, but focusing on that is not going to get me to where I want to be,” Outman said. “So I’m just trying to stay present and get better with what I do every day.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
