The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled outfielder James Outman on Monday, bringing the 27-year-old back to the big leagues for his third stint this season. The move comes as part of a larger roster shuffle that included placing Enrique Hernández on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation—an issue that had been quietly plaguing him for the past month and finally reached a breaking point over the weekend.
Outman’s return provides much-needed depth to a Dodgers roster stretched thin by mounting injuries. On Sunday, the team had just one healthy position player—backup catcher Will Smith—available off the bench, with Hernández, Teoscar Hernández, and Tommy Edman all unavailable due to various ailments. Manager Dave Roberts called the situation “not a good feeling,” and a roster move became inevitable.
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Outman has struggled in limited major league action this season for the Dodgers, going just 3-for-24 (.125) with two home runs and 13 strikeouts. However, his recent performance in Triple-A Oklahoma City has been a different story. Since being optioned on May 19, Outman has slashed .318/.422/.662 with 12 home runs, a 163 wRC+, and notably improved plate discipline—cutting his strikeout rate from 36.3% to 25.7% and nearly doubling his walk rate.
He arrives in Milwaukee riding a 20-game on-base streak and a 12-game run-scoring streak—the longest in the Pacific Coast League this season. His productive weekend included a four-RBI game capped by a double on Saturday and a game-winning grand slam the previous week.
Outman’s resurgence couldn’t come at a better time for the Dodgers, especially as the club navigates injuries across the roster. While his past stints have been rocky, the improvements in his approach suggest he may be better equipped to contribute this time around.