Dave Roberts: Dodgers’ Decision To Option James Outman ‘A Tough One’

On Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers optioned James Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City as part of a series of roster moves, which made room for Jason Heyward and Miguel Vargas.

After a promising rookie campaign during the 2023 season, Outman has been experiencing a sophomore slump so far in 2024.

Outman hit .248/.353/.437 slash line with 23 home runs and 16 doubles last season, but his numbers dropped to .147/.250/.266 this season. In addition to Outman’s struggles at the plate, the emergence of rookie outfielder Andy Pages also played a part in the Dodgers’ decision to option him.

Heyward experienced a couple of setbacks as he was going through the rehab process for his injured lower back, so Pages was initially called up as temporary high-end replacement with the possibility of an expanded role if he was able to perform at the Major League level.

Entering Friday, Pages was hitting .267/.306/.446 with 4 homers, and since the callup, he provided a spark to a Dodgers offense that desperately needed it at the time.

It was a difficult decision for the Dodgers to make, but it is one that manager Dave Roberts believes will help Outman reset, according to Jack Harris and Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:

“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,” Roberts said of Outman. “But with the inconsistencies, the struggles, Jason coming back, Andy [Pages’] play in 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.”

The Dodgers had high expectations for Outman and hoped he could build off a strong 2023 season, but Heyward’s return and Pages’ solid play made it impossible for them to give Outman the reps he needed.

While being back in the Minors is not be ideal for Outman in the short term, it could help him get out of his own head when he is not on the team facing the most pressure to win in 2024.

Dodgers get Jason Heyward back from the injured list

It’s been a weird 2024 season for Jason Heyward, he appeared in four games for the Dodgers before being placed on the injured list with what was initially thought to be a minor lower back injury on March 30.

Ultimately, it ended up being a 40-game stint on the injured list after lingering soreness in his back led to his prolonged absence. He went on a short two-game rehab assignment before returning, and hit a home run his first game back with the Dodgers.