Astros' Jason Heyward: Smacks first homer with Houston
Rotowire
Heyward went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run homer in Thursday's 6-3 win over the A's.
Heyward opened the scoring in the second inning with a two-run shot off Mitch Spence, his first homer in 12 games with the Astros and his seventh of the season. The 35-year-old Heyward has gone just 3-for-21 (.143) since joining Houston while primarily coming off the bench, a role that'll likely continue with Kyle Tucker returning to the outfield Friday. Overall, Heyward's slashing .201/.282./387 with 32 RBI, 29 runs scored and four steals across 220 plate appearances between the Astros and Dodgers this year.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Jason Heyward: Absent from lineup
Rotowire
Heyward is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Heyward started the first two games after being signed by the Astros but has been in the lineup just once across the last four contests, with two of those coming against righties. The hot-hitting Ben Gamel is in right field Wednesday and looks to currently be higher in the pecking order than Heyward, although both players are likely to see their playing time cut when Kyle Tucker (shin) returns.
Heyward is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.
After joining the Astros on Thursday, Heyward made two consecutive starts against right-handed pitching, going 1-for-6 with a double and two RBI between those contests. He was on the bench Saturday against southpaw Cole Ragans and will remain out of the lineup again Sunday while right-hander Alec Marsh toes the rubber for the Royals. Ben Gamel will check in for Heyward in right field.
Astros' Jason Heyward: Officially signs on with Houston
Rotowire
The Astros signed Heyward to a one-year contract Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The deal was reportedly nearing the finish line earlier this week and is now official. Heyward had been cut loose by the Dodgers recently after slashing just .208/.289/.393 with six home runs in 63 games. The veteran should at least offer plus outfield defense and can't be much worse offensively than what Houston has received so far from its corner spots sans Kyle Tucker (shin).
The Astros are close to reaching agreement on a contract with Heyward, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Heyward will presumably be getting a major-league deal. He was recently released by the Dodgers after slashing .208/.289/.393 with six home runs in 63 games this season. The Astros have had trouble finding steady production from their corner-outfield spots since Kyle Tucker (shin) landed on the injured list in June, so Heyward would likely receive regular chances in right field, at least until Tucker is ready to return from the IL.
Heyward will now look to find work elsewhere after the Dodgers pushed him off the 40-man roster Thursday, when the team needed to open up a spot for Chris Taylor's return from the 10-day injured list. The 35-year-old had held down a strong-side platoon role in right field for Los Angeles for most of the season, but the Dodgers didn't have much of a need for Heyward after Mookie Betts returned from the IL earlier this month and stepped in as the club's everyday starter in right. Before being cut loose, Heyward got on base at a .289 clip and contributed six home runs and four stolen bases over 197 plate appearances.
The Dodgers designated Heyward for assignment Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The 35-year-old outfielder has seen a significant drop in playing time ever since Mookie Betts returned from the injured list and moved back to right field, and Heyward has now officially lost his roster spot. He's slashed .208/.289/.393 with 28 RBI across 197 plate appearances this year and could attract interest on the waiver wire from other teams in need of outfield depth.
Heyward went 1-for-1 with a three-run homer in Tuesday's win over the Mariners.
Heyward was brought in as a pinch hitter in the eighth to face Andres Munoz and capitalized with a three-run laser over the short wall in right field. Heyward has been highly successful as a pinch hitter this season, going 4-for-8 with a pair of home runs. Tuesday's long ball was his first since July 21 and this marked his first multi-RBI performance since then as well. The 34-year-old is slashing .208/.289/.393 with six homers, 28 RBI, 25 runs, four steals and a 17:36 BB:K in 197 plate appearances this year.
Dodgers' Jason Heyward: Likely to lose work with Betts back
Rotowire
Heyward is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.
When healthy, Heyward has occupied the strong side of a platoon in right field throughout the season, but he looks set to move into a pure bench role with Mookie Betts (hand) making his return from the injured list Monday. Though Betts had started exclusively at shortstop and second base prior to landing on the shelf, he'll take on full-time duties in right field moving forward with the Dodgers soon expected to get Max Muncy (oblique), Tommy Edman (wrist) and Chris Taylor (groin) back as options in the infield. Even though he's mostly been shielded from same-handed pitching this season, the lefty-hitting Heyward has produced a weak .665 OPS over 191 plate appearances. With his playing time likely to be sparse moving forward and Heyward offering meager value defensively or as a baserunner at this stage of his career, he could be at risk of losing his spot on the roster once the Dodgers get some of their injured players back.
