Outfielder James Outman has cleared waivers and been sent to Triple-A, according to multiple reports, including from Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. The Tigers designated Outman for assignment over the weekend to clear a spot for lefty Andrew Sears. He only has two years of MLB service time and hasn’t been outrighted before, so he had to accept the minor league assignment.
This was Outman’s second trip through the DFA process this season. The first time around, the Tigers claimed him after the Twins placed him on waivers. Outman will head back to Toledo and wait for another big-league opportunity.
Outman hit just .183 in 100 plate appearances with Detroit. He popped five home runs and stole a pair of bags. Outman saw time at all three outfield spots. He was a neutral defender by Defensive Runs Saved.
Strikeouts continue to hold Outman back. He punched out at a massive 41.8% clip in 94 games between the Tigers and Twins. That number was 42.6% last year with the Twins and Dodgers. Outman has a career-worst 20.1% swinging-strike rate this season. The highest swinging-strike rate among qualified hitters in 2026 belongs to Colson Montgomery at 18%. Outman doesn’t qualify, but if you lower the threshold to 150 plate appearances, he ranks second-to-last, behind only Luke Raley (20.6%).
Detroit has struggled to find production in center field. The club has shuffled through eight different players at the position. The group has combined to rank 25th in OPS. Rookie Max Clark has been the everyday option since debuting at the end of July. The 21-year-old has an 87 wRC+ in his first taste of the majors.
Photo courtesy of Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images
