What is the difference between a player being "sent to the minors"and "outrighted to the minors?

Question

What is the difference between a player being "sent to the minors"and "outrighted to the minors?

Answer 1

a player 'sent' down had a minor league option left on his contract, and therefore could be sent down without putting him through waivers.  one who is 'outrighted' is placed on waivers, where any team that wants to can claim him.

Answer 2

And if the player is on the 40-man (protected) roster, outrighting him is part of the method used to get him off of the 40-man and clear space for another player.

Answer 3

there's no coming back from outrighted.  Merely sent to the minors means that the player may be back.