The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Jason Heyward off the 10-day injured list and optioned James Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
Outman returns to the Minors just over two weeks after he was recalled because of Heyward’s knee injury. Outman began the season on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster but largely struggled and was the natural choice to be optioned when Heyward returned from a back injury in the middle of May.
At the time, Outman was hitting just .147/.250/.266 with four doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, 13 walks and 40 strikeouts through 36 games (30 starts) for the Dodgers.
“It was a tough one. I don’t think any of us expected to be in this position, given last year and our expectations for him this season,” manager Dave Roberts said in May. “But with the inconsistencies, the struggles, Jason coming back, Andy’s (Pages) play the last six weeks, we just felt James needed an opportunity to go down and play every day.
“There’s something to getting out of this performance-based environment and just going out there and playing baseball. Once we can get him back on track, then we can get him back here.”
Outman did benefit from spending time with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, batting .279/.393/.531 with eight doubles, nine home runs and 21 RBI in 38 games prior to getting recalled last month.
“He’s been playing really well,” Roberts said when Outman returned. “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.”
But Outman received limited opportunities in a second stint with the Dodgers, and was just 3-for-15 with eight strikeouts in nine games (five starts).
Jason Heyward’s role
With Heyward back on the Dodgers roster, he figures to resume filling a platoon role in right field. The veteran hasn’t replicated the success from last season when he bounced back with the Dodgers, but the team values his leadership and believes results at the plate will trend up.
Heyward wound up missing just 11 games with a left knee bone bruise that was suffered when attempting to rob Joc Pederson of a home run.
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