Dodgers designate MLB veteran Jason Heyward for assignment in roster squeeze

By Dylan SvobodaPublished Aug. 22, 2024, 4:45 p.m. ETComments

Jason Heyward is out of a job.

The Dodgers designated the longtime MLB outfielder for assignment after activating utilityman Chris Taylor from the injured list, the team announced on Thursday.

Heyward, 35, hit .208 with a .682 OPS and six homers in 63 games while platooning in right field this season, his second with the Dodgers.

Jason Heyward was the victim of a Dodgers roster crunch on Thursday.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“Thank you Jason for your hard work, leadership and everything you’ve done for the Dodgers,” the franchise wrote on X.

The Dodgers added a number of position players midseason, including Kevin Kiermaier and Tommy Edman as injuries to Taylor, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and others piled up.

As their roster got healthy, Heyward became the odd man out.

A first-round pick by the Braves in 2007, Heyward has played 15 seasons in the big leagues, winning five Gold Glove awards with excellent defense in the outfield and making his only All-Star team during his rookie year in 2010.

Heyward played the first five seasons of his career with the Braves before a one-year stint with the Cardinals.

He would sign an eight-year, $184 million deal with the Cubs before their World Series-winning 2016 season.

After a disappointing stint in Chicago, Heyward was cut midseason in 2022 before signing a minor-league deal with the Dodgers in December and making the team out of spring training.

Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward (23) walks on the field before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics.Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

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He enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2023, hitting .269 with 15 homers, and parlayed that into a one-year, $9 million deal to stay in Los Angeles.

Heyward will now look to catch on with a team needing a left-handed bench bat with strong defense in the outfield.