The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated veteran outfielder Jason Heyward for assignment, as announced by the team on Thursday. This decision comes just two days after Heyward hit a pinch-hit, go-ahead three-run homer in a 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Heyward’s performance this season included a batting average of .208, with six home runs and a .682 OPS across 63 games. He faced injury challenges that affected his playing time. This season followed a relatively successful 2023, where he signed with the Dodgers as a Minor League free agent after being released by the Chicago Cubs. During that year, he posted a .269 batting average, hit 15 home runs, and recorded an .813 OPS.
Throughout his career, which began with considerable attention when he homered in his first MLB at-bat for the Atlanta Braves in 2010, Heyward has maintained a career batting average of .257, with 180 home runs and a .748 OPS. He is also known for playing a crucial role in the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship, famously delivering a motivational speech during a rain delay in Game 7, contributing to the end of the team’s 108-year championship drought.
In a corresponding move, the Dodgers activated utilityman Chris Taylor.