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Surprise Dodgers Outfielder Has Locker in Clubhouse Ahead of Thursday’s Game
Jul 6, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37), center fielder James Outman (33) and right fielder Andy Pages (44) celebrate after the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reported outfielder James Outman has a locker at Dodger Stadium ahead of the final game of a four-game series with the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon.

Outman has bounced between Triple-A Oklahoma City and MLB this season. At the big league level, he's appeared in nine games, hitting two home runs and driving in four runs. He's slashing .125/.222/.375 across 24 plate appearances.

The former top prospect has torn up Triple-A pitching this season, boasting a .904 OPS through 44 games. He has the second most home runs on the Comets this season with 12, and is third on the team with 42 RBIs.

Outman spent all of the 2023 season in MLB with the Dodgers, playing in all but 11 games. He was an asset to the offense despite his high strikeout rate, hitting .248 with a .790 OPS. He fell out of favor in 2024 and played just 53 games after failing to produce at the same level.

The Dodgers have not announced any roster moves yet ahead of their series finale against the Mets, leaving questions to be answered about whose place he will take. Tommy Edman is back in the lineup on Thursday after missing the last two games with an ankle injury, so his spot appears to be safe.

As for Outman, the Dodgers drafted him with the 224th pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, and he made his debut with Los Angeles in 2022.

He played four games that season, batting .462 and hitting his first major league home run. The Dodgers kept him on the roster heading into the following year.

Outman spent all of the 2023 season in MLB with the Dodgers, playing in all but 11 games. He was an asset to the offense despite his high strikeout rate, hitting .248 with a .790 OPS. He fell out of favor in 2024 and played just 53 games after failing to produce at the same level.

It appears he's now getting another opportunity this week.


This article first appeared on Los Angeles Dodgers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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