Featured Columnist IVAugust 27, 2024
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures
The Houston Astros and veteran outfielder Jason Heyward reportedly reached an settlement on a contract Tuesday pending a bodily, based on ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.
Heyward, 37, was designated for project by the Los Angeles Dodgers final week to make room on the roster for veteran utility man Chris Taylor after he was activated from the injured record.
After stints with the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, Heyward spent the previous two seasons with the Dodgers.
In 63 video games this season, Heyward is slashing simply .208/.289/.393 with six residence runs, 28 RBI, 25 runs scored and 4 stolen bases, marking one of many least productive seasons of his 15-year profession.
Heyward was heralded as a possible celebrity within the making when he was first referred to as up by the Braves in 2010, as he hit .277 with 18 homers and 72 RBI, completed second within the Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months voting and was named an All-Star.
His manufacturing by no means fairly improved from there, although, and he went from a doable star to extra of a task participant.
Whereas Heyward hasn’t been named to an All-Star staff since his rookie yr, he went on to win 5 Gold Glove Awards and received a World Collection with the Cubs in 2016.
All informed, Heyward has appeared in 1,766 profession regular-season video games, hitting .257 with 180 residence runs, 709 RBI and 124 steals.
Getting DFA’ed by the Dodgers meant having to go away considered one of MLB’s prime World Collection contenders, however the Astros are contenders in their very own proper.
Houston is trending towards its eighth consecutive playoff look and fourth straight American League West division title.
The Astros have overcome a gradual begin to the season to compile a 70-61 document, giving them a 3.5-game lead within the AL West over the Seattle Mariners.
The 2017 and 2022 World Collection champions have handled some damage points this season with none greater than star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who has been out since early June with a shin damage.
Whereas there may be hope for Tucker to return in September, he has but to start working the bases, per common supervisor Dana Brown (h/t CBS Sports).
Houston’s infield and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez have led the best way offensively in Tucker’s absence, however an outfield comprised of Jake Meyers, Mauricio Dubón, Chas McCormick and Ben Gamel has lagged behind considerably.
Heyward offers the Houston outfield a veteran presence and a much-needed left bat on condition that Meyers, Dubón and McCormick all hit right-handed.
