James Outman enjoyed an impressive rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but his 2024 campaign has gotten off to a rough start.
The 26-year-old is hitting just .125/.263/.156 with 13 strikeouts in 38 plate appearances over 10 games entering play Monday.
Outman has started in just one of the Dodgers’ last four games, which came against a right-handed pitcher. He either sat out or was limited to a pinch-hit appearance in the other matchups where a left-handed pitcher took the mound.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained Outman was given some time off to work on his swing and will continue being the everyday center fielder rather than be part of a platoon, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“No, it’s not,” Roberts said. “I just think James has to get untracked offensively. So for me, talking to the hitting guys, allowing him to have a couple days’ work and then he’ll be in there all three days against Minnesota. But my plan is definitely not to platoon him. Right now, I do want him to get that swing kind of a little more dialed in.”
Outman’s current slump is reminiscent to the prolonged struggles he endured at times last year, when the Dodgers also remained confident he would be able to get back on track.
Outman is hitless in five at-bats against left-handed pitching this season. He batted .254/.357/.308 against southpaws in 154 opportunities during his rookie campaign.
If the Dodgers reverse course and decide to platoon Outman, Kiké Hernández would be a natural parter for him in center field. The 32-year-old has already made four starts at the position this season, but he also has struggled at the plate in the early going.
Dodgers planned on James Outman playing every day
Roberts has long envisioned Outman being the Dodgers’ everyday center fielder this season and wants to give him every chance to find success before potentially making a change.
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