Jason Heyward’s future with the Los Angeles Dodgers became uncertain when Mookie Betts returned to the starting lineup and moved to right field.
That became official Thursday when the Dodgers designated the veteran outfielder for assignment to clear a spot for utility man Chris Taylor, who was activated from the injured list. The move was initially reported by Robert Murray of FanSided.
Heyward, 35, has started 49 of his 61 games in right field this season and has played solid defense at the position. However, he has batted just . 208 with a .682 OPS, 10 doubles, six home runs and 28 RBI this season. That makes it hard to argue that the Dodgers weren’t better with Betts in right field — where he has played most of his career, including his four seasons in Los Angeles — Miguel Rojas at shortstop and Gavin Lux at second base.
The 15-year veteran made a strong closing argument for being a left-handed hitter off the bench with a pinch-hit, three-run homer on Tuesday that made the difference in a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Now it looks like a memorable final moment in Dodger Blue for Heyward, who played two seasons with the team.
Heyward could seemingly be valuable if he were to retain that pinch-hitter role. But his positional flexibility is limited primarily to right field, and the Dodgers have other players who can play center field. The ability to play multiple positions appears to be a priority with Taylor, Enrique Hernandez and Tommy Edman on the roster and moving through the lineup.
Heyward is likely to hit waivers, as any team that claims him would be owed the remainder of his $9 million salary this season, rather than a prorated amount of the major league minimum of $740,000. From there, the veteran could decline assignment to the minor leagues and become a free agent.
It’s possible Heyward could go to the minors and be called up in September, when the roster can expand to 28 players. But a player of Heyward’s stature and status might not want to go that route.
If Heyward’s major league career is indeed over, he’ll finish with a .257 career average, .748 OPS, 302 doubles, 180 home runs and 709 RBI in 15 seasons. He won a World Series championship with the Chicago Cubs in 2016, a valuable, beloved leader who became legendary for his motivational speech to the team during a rain delay in Game 7.
