The Dodgers made a series of roster moves today, activating outfielder Jason Heyward from the injured list while recalling outfielder Miguel Vargas and right-hander Ricky Vanasco. To open roster spots for that group, they placed third baseman Max Muncy on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain and optioned outfielder James Outman and left-hander Nick Ramirez.
Prior to the official announcement, Francys Romero reported on X that Vargas would be called up. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic was among those to relay on X that Outman no longer had a locker with the club.
While oblique strains typically lead to absences of multiple weeks, the Dodgers don’t seem especially concerned. Manager Dave Roberts told the team’s beat (including Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic) that it’s a mild strain. The club is hopeful he’ll only require a minimal stint. Muncy is out to his typical start to the season: drawing plenty of walks and hitting for power to compensate for a low batting average. Through 167 plate appearances, he has a .223/.323/.475 line with nine homers.
Muncy has gotten the start at third base for 36 of L.A.’s 46 games. Enrique Hernández is in the lineup tonight against Cincinnati right-hander Frankie Montas. Roberts told reporters that Hernández and Miguel Rojas will take the third base work while Muncy is out.
Heyward draws back into the lineup after missing six weeks with a back issue. The veteran should be in the lineup in right field against right-handed pitching. That bumps rookie Andy Pages from right field to center field, while Teoscar Hernández will be in one of the corners on an everyday basis. The Dodgers shield Heyward from left-handed pitching. Roberts said one of Vargas or Chris Taylor will be in left field against southpaws, pushing Hernández to right and Heyward to the bench.
The outfield shuffling sends Outman to the minors for the first time since 2022. The 27-year-old finished third in NL Rookie of the Year balloting last season, hitting 23 homers with a .248/.353/.437 slash line. His offensive production has plummeted this season. Outman has been one of the least productive hitters in MLB, turning in a .147/.250/.266 mark. He has fanned in more than 32% of his plate appearances and hasn’t made the same level of power impact he did last season.
Outman will try to get on track at Triple-A Oklahoma City to put himself back on the radar for an MLB call. He’ll need to do so quickly to stay on pace to reach free agency after the 2028 season. Outman entered the season with one year and six days of MLB service. A service year is tallied at 172 days, so he needs to spend at least 166 days on the MLB roster to surpass the two-year threshold in 2024. If he spends more than a couple weeks in Triple-A, he’ll fall short of that mark.
Maximum breakdown
Vargas should prove he could be an upgrade on Lux.
Probably going to be difficult for Vargas to prove that while he’s playing LF…
Not at all. And I assumed he will be playing LF or an emergency 3B for now. But if Vargas can hit, he is a decent fielding 2B. He just has to prove that he is a professional hitter.
Here’s hoping Vargas continues to hit
Vargas hasn’t played a single inning at 2B (or 3B) in AAA this year. I really don’t think the front office likes his infield defense.
If they were going to do away with Lux, they’d probably just play Rojas there, give Hernandez or Taylor more time in the infield, or promote Austin Gauthier.
That being said, Lux has been hitting roughly league average (for 2B) the last few weeks — a big improvement from where he was at.
If Vargas can hit 0.250, they might DFA Taylor
Upgrade on Lux? What? Vargas is definitely not an upgrade on anyone, particularly Lux!
I think the Dodgers need to buy more players and try to buy a title
They have a rather large lead in the division
They have Kershaw and Miller coming back
Dodgers are up there with Philadelphia, Atlanta and Yankees as teams to watch for post-season. Not prepared to rule out Texas just yet either.
Just as long as Texas can avoid the Rockies, they should be fine.
I think I would rule out Texas before ruling out Houston.
Manny, just IMO, but I don’t see the Yankees being included with that group of teams. Even when Cole returns they are lacking in so many spots. I can see Texas being a strong contender once they get back to normal.
Your team isn’t paying its players with food stamps.
Well if they need clowns to entertain the fans they should give you a call?
It’s the right move for Outman. They gave him 100 at bats, and he’s gotten WORSE as the season has gone along….
You’re out, man.
so many comic geniuses here
Where? I haven’t seen any.
hidden among the far too many trolls here
All gratification deferred until 2040.
certainly for your team
Another awesome comic retort, Moco! You are aflame.
I’d get into this with you Candles but I actually have sympathy for the ridiculous number of injuries the Giants have suffered.
Just a sophomore slump for Outman. MOST of the time, players work themselves out of it. The rest of the time they end up like Joe Charboneau and Jerome Walton.
Slump?……dude has slud into a bottomless crater….
But the elephant in the room is Chris Taylor. Five hits all season. Maybe they’re giving themselves until Muncy returns to figure out what to do with him.
Re: CT3: Hard to eat $30 million guaranteed so not likely they cut him loose. Trade him? Who’d take him unless LAD continues to foot the bill? Will he accept going to AAA? Doubtful.
Yeah, there is no way Taylor sticks on the roster the beyond the trade deadline unless his bat improves. I can see why they’d be reluctant to release him outright this early, but it is surprising they haven’t revealed an “injury” to give him a reset.
Nolan Arenado
Tommy Edman
For
Miguel Vargas
Maddux Bruns
Chris Taylor
Both Arenado and Edman are California guys. The Cardinals taking Taylor would help cover some of what Arenado is owed. Bruns is a mess but he’s got potential. Vargas can play 1b, 2b, 3b and left which are all positions they could use a righty bat. Edman can play center 2b and short which could really help the Dodgers probably would play center the way it stands now.
Then you put down the controller and turn off the The Show
While granted he is injured at the moment, the Dodgers locked up Muncy for this year and next, with a 2026 team option. He’s also hitting better than Arenado this season. With both 1B and DH locked up long-term for the Dodgers, I don’t see this deal making sense.
Can’t Muncy play 2b? The guy playing there now Lux has been awful.
I really doubt they’re interested in having Muncy at 2B. He hasn’t played there since 2022 and was awful defensively that year. If they want to get rid of Lux, they’d play some combination of Rojas/Hernandez/Taylor there, or promote Austin Gauthier. I think they give Lux a longer runway, however. He’s been showing signs of improvement at the plate as of late.
Well the Cardinals might not mind having Muncy.
Hey man I used to enjoy talking about my team adding talent at the deadline and I will again one day.
Muncy almost certainly isn’t as good defensively at 3B as Arenado, but they’ve been roughly equal at the plate from 2021-2024, with an .807 OPS for Muncy and .811 for Arenado. Muncy has been better this year and last (.806 OPS vs. .754 OPS for 2023-2024).
I’m pretty sure any team would be happy to have Muncy, but I very much doubt the Dodgers let him go. He signed a very team-friendly extension during offseason. Bohm, Devers, Westburg, and Paredes seem to be the only 3B having better seasons than Muncy.
The difference in defense is gigantic it’s not even close. I agree they are similar hitters but the defense matters and it’s not close. By including Taylor and Muncy you are basically cash neutral for 2025 and it would cost the Dodgers an extra 8 million in 2026 and then Arenado is signed at a reasonable 15 million for 2027. That seems like a fair price to pay for a 10 time gold glover and former platinum glove winner. And did I mention he grew up a Dodgers fan?
And Edman is a 4 win player who you can plug into center and if Outman figures out how to hit again you could also play at 2b or shortstop. Edman plays 3 positions the Dodgers need help at.
You mean the MiLB player of the year, first rounder, guy who hit .300 until August of 2022 which was the year before he blew out his knee and missed all of last season Lux?
No way you can give up on that guy this season.
Lux commits too many errors.
@ nosake
Lux has made ZERO errors this season. Check your facts..
no thanks
corrrection…Lux made his first error tonight
Many errors (this season) are not going into the record books as such but they are still being committed. It’s not just Lux; it’s MLB.
I want some of what you’re smoking.
What exactly is so ridiculous about this proposal? Arenado is a future hall of famer and while getting old still a good player. Edman is a 4 win player who should be healthy in a couple weeks. Both guys from California Arenado grew up a Dodgers fan and wants to win. Vargas is a decent prospect but he’s nothing special. Bruns is a boom or bust guy who was 0 and 12 the first 2 years of his career. And Taylor is a candidate to be released with a terrible contract. What exactly is so ridiculous about this idea? I would think a Dodgers fan would think this is a great trade. Center field has been a black hole for them in 2024 and if Muncy can play 2b that’s another position they need help at.
no thanks
Its a good proposal and one I think STL would love to pull off
I just don’t think Arenado holds any weight today
Dodgers decline but its a savvy try by Stl in trying to capitalize on Taylors worthlessness.
There’s a good Taylor trade out there for some rebuilding team tho which nets good prospects (*if Taylor can even make it to
July on the roster)
Taylor is garbage at this point. The only reason I included him in the proposal was to offset some of Arenados salary. The Dodgers options with Taylor are bury him on the bench or cut him loose and eat that salary.
I don’t know what you mean by Arenado doesn’t hold any weight. I don’t think he’s worth his contract that’s why I included Taylor in the deal. But I think the Dodgers would be happy to have him. He’s still good defensively and I think he would hit better playing elsewhere most Cardinal hitters aren’t hitting at the moment.
No, I would like to see the Mariners trade for Arenado. Among other assorted players who may be available (Any two of the following would be copacetic: Brent Rooker, Taylor Ward, Tyler O’Neill, Bo Bichette, Nolan Arenado, Ryan McMahon, Pete Alonso)
Time to call up Andre Lipcius.
Has raked everywhere he’s been. At 26, it’s nearing now or never time.
Guess Muncy should’ve taken half the Ozempic injections on his left side.
Max Muncy — DNP — buffet line
Ohtani is no longer allowed to say “Mookie Betts”
Fate never meant for James Outman to shake his label.