Jason Heyward’s future on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ roster grew to become unsure as soon as Mookie Betts returned to the lineup and moved to proper subject.
That grew to become official Thursday, with the Dodgers designating the veteran outfielder for project to open a spot for utility man Chris Taylor, who was activated from the injured checklist. The transfer was first reported by FanSided’s Robert Murray.
Heyward, 35, began 49 of his 61 video games this season in proper subject and performed robust protection on the place. Nonetheless, he batted solely .208, with a .682 OPS, 10 doubles, six house runs and 28 RBI this season. That made it tough to argue that the Dodgers weren’t higher with Betts in proper subject (the place he has performed the vast majority of his profession), Miguel Rojas at shortstop and Gavin Lux at second base.
Heyward, a 15-year veteran, made a robust closing argument to be a left-handed bat off the bench with a pinch-hit, three-run homer Tuesday that was the distinction in a 6–3 win over the Seattle Mariners. However now that appears like a memorable last second in Dodger Blue for Heyward, who performed two seasons with the crew.
Heyward might seemingly have worth in a job as a pinch-hitter. However his place flexibility is restricted principally to proper subject, and the Dodgers produce other gamers who can play in heart. The flexibility to play a number of positions seems to be a precedence with Taylor, Enrique Hernandez and Tommy Edman on the roster and circulating by the lineup.
Heyward will presumably clear waivers as a result of any crew claiming him would owe the rest of his $9 million wage this season, versus a prorated sum of the $740,000 major-league minimal. From there, the veteran might refuse project to the minor leagues and grow to be a free agent.
It is doable that Heyward might go to the minors and be a September call-up when rosters can increase to twenty-eight gamers. However a participant of his tenure and stature won’t need to go that route.
If Heyward’s profession as a significant leaguer is certainly over, he finishes with a .257 common, .748 OPS, 302 doubles, 180 house runs and 709 RBI in 15 seasons. He received a World Sequence championship with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 as a worthwhile, beloved chief who grew to become legendary along with his motivating speech to the crew throughout a rain delay in Recreation 7.