Roughly a day and a half after delivering a pinch-hit, three-run home run in the eighth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6–3 victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night, veteran outfielder Jason Heyward found himself without a job.
The Dodgers on Thursday designated the 15-year major-leaguer for assignment. A former All-Star who turned 35 this month, Heyward is batting .208 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 63 games this season.
Heyward is a career .257 hitter with 180 homers and 709 RBIs in 1,766 games with the Atlanta Braves (2010–14), St. Louis Cardinals (2015), Chicago Cubs (2017–22), and Dodgers. Atlanta drafted Heyward in the first round (14th overall) in 2007 and he made the National League All-Star team as a rookie in 2010.
Heyward won five Gold Gloves in right field (2012, 2014–17). He is playing this season on a one-year contract for $9 million, having earned more than $210 million during his career.
The National League West-leading Dodgers filled the roster slot by activating infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor from the 10-day injured list. Taylor has been out of the lineup since July 24 due to a groin strain. Taylor, 33, is batting .167 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 64 games with the Dodgers this season.
