Dodgers veteran OF returns from IL, replaces struggling young OF

The Dodgers on Sunday announced outfielder Jason Heyward is back with the club after a stint on the IL. OF James Outman was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

On the surface it would seem that giving Outman the plate appearances over Heyward would behoove the Dodgers long-term, but Outman's struggles this season have forced LA to turn back to Heyward now that he's recovered from a knee bruise he suffered on July 4.

Outman, who was optioned in mid-May due to issues at the plate, came out hot in his first couple games back in the Majors after Heyward went down. In those two contests he was three-for-five with one strikeout. It's been disaster since then.

Over the next seven games, Outman went hitless in 10 at-bats with seven strikeouts. The only time he reached was via hit-by-pitch. His season batting average is down to .158, and his OPS is down to .508 this season. There just hasn't been enough to warrant more opportunities for him and it looks like he'll be in Triple-A the rest of the season barring another injury.

Heyward returns with a .203 average and a .698 OPS. He's well past his prime, but his defense is still good and he's certainly better at the plate than Outman has been this season. Heyward figures to move back into a starting right field role with Andy Pages sliding back to centerfield full time.