Dodgers News: James Outman May See Playing Time Diminish Moving Forward

The platoon is here for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers' roster has added some new faces as Amed Rosario and Kiké Hernández have joined the team via trade over the last week. Both players will assume platoon roles all over the diamond and rookie center fielder James Outman might be the one who sees his role affected most from it.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Hernandez and Rosario figure to see a decent amount of time in center in the coming months. That seemingly means a bit less of Outy as the season progresses.

"As we sit here today, James Outman, who has had a great second half, is not playing against a left-hander. So it’s just understanding and appreciating that I use the whole roster, and you have to be ready when called upon. For Kiké and Amed to be here and not playing against a lefty doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for me right now.”

Outman has actually displayed reverse splits in his time as a big leaguer, hitting .295 against same handed pitching vs .244 against right-handers.

July has been a turning point for Outman. With a .317 batting average, 3 home runs, 9 RBI, and an impressive .876 OPS, he has been a standout performer. His defensive skills in center field have been nothing short of exceptional.

Despite his recent success, the Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts appear to favor veteran players as they push for another NL West crown and a deep postseason run. This might result in less playing time for the 26-year-old outfielder.

However, Outman has demonstrated maturity beyond his years, dealing with the ups and downs of a baseball season with poise and determination. The decrease in playing time won't affect his commitment to the team, as he remains focused on proving his worth in the major leagues.