Brandon Lockridge Expected To Platoon With Jason Heyward
San Diego Padres outfielder Brandon Lockridge has been told he will make the Opening Day roster, and he's expected to platoon in left field with Jason Heyward to begin the season, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. Lockridge, who bats right-handed, will be on the short side of the platoon with Heyward, primarily entering the starting lineup when the Friars face a left-handed starting pitcher. The 28-year-old earned a spot on the Opening Day roster by hitting .364 with seven stolen bases and two RBI in 20 Cactus League games this spring. He made his big-league debut in 2024 with SD but appeared in just 12 games, going 2-for-12 with a homer, RBI and two stolen bases. Lockridge's main draw is his speed -- he stole 50 bags in the majors and minors with the Padres and Yankees in 2024 -- but because his playing time will be limited, he's mainly an asset for his speed in NL-only fantasy leagues.
According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres have signed outfielder Jason Heyward to a contract. Lin noted that Heyward is expected to share time in left field with Connor Joe who the team acquired earlier on Friday evening. Heyward opened the season with the Los Angeles Dodgers but eventually ended his campaign in Houston. Across 87 contests, the veteran posted a .211/.288/.412 slash line with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and five stolen bases. In 2023, Heyward held a solid .269/.340/.473 slash line with 23 doubles and 15 home runs across 124 contests with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Given his strong defensive metrics, fantasy managers should expect Heyward to be given several opportunities in left field, likely in a platoon role with Connor Joe. However, given his declining bat, he should only be targeted in deeper NL-only formats.
The Houston Astros officially signed free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward to a one-year deal on Thursday and designated pitcher Janson Junk for assignment in a corresponding move to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. The Astros continue to look for platoon help in right field with Kyle Tucker (shin) still out, especially after they optioned Chas McCormick to the minors on Thursday. Tucker is expected back at some point in September, but until then, the 35-year-old Heyward could see ample playing time in right field against right-handed pitchers in Houston. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can leave Heyward to the waiver wire, but he could be an interesting short-term flier in AL-only leagues. The Los Angeles Dodgers cut Heyward recently after he hit just .208/.289/.393 with a .682 OPS, six homers and 28 RBI in 173 at-bats this year.
The Houston Astros are close to signing free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward, who was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to a source. Heyward slashed just .208/.289/.393 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 63 games with the Dodgers earlier this year and also missed considerable time due to an injury. The 35-year-old former 14th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2007 became expendable when All-Star Mookie Betts returned from a fractured hand in LA and returned to starting duties in right field. If Heyward were to join the Astros' big-league roster, he'd be in a platoon role with Chas McCormick, at best, in right field until Kyle Tucker (shin) is able to return from a long stint on the injured list. A change of scenery may be what Heyward needs, but it's still unlikely to make Heyward suddenly attractive in mixed fantasy leagues down the stretch.
Chris Taylor Activated, Jason Heyward Designated For Assignment
The Los Angeles Dodgers activated infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor (groin) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and designated outfielder Jason Heyward for assignment in a corresponding move. Taylor will return to the Dodgers after landing on the shelf in late July with a strained left groin. Both Taylor and Heyward have been pretty dreadful offensively in 2024, but the 33-year-old Taylor at least offers versatility at other positions on the infield. Taylor will return to a .167/.277/.265 slash line with an abysmal .542 OPS, three homers, 15 RBI and three steals. Continue to ignore him in mixed fantasy leagues. Heyward, meanwhile, loses his 40-man roster spot after already seeing his playing time dwindle in right field after Mookie Betts returned from a fractured hand. The 35-year-old has hit .208 (36-for-173) for the Blue this year with six homers, 28 RBI and four steals.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward hit a pinch-hit home run in his only at-bat to lead his team to victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. Heyward hit the home run off Mariners closer Andres Munoz in the bottom of the eighth inning and then remained in the game for defense. The veteran has struggled for the most part this season in a platoon role and is hitting .208 with six homers, 28 RBI and four stolen bases over 173 at-bats. Despite his late-game heroics, Heyward finds most of his time on the bench and is best served as a defensive replacement. He can safely remain on the waiver wire in all formats.
Jason Heyward Activated From Injured List, Starting On Sunday
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward (knee) was activated off the 10-day injured list on Sunday, July 21, according to Jack Harris of the LA Times. The 34-year-old hit the injured list early in July due to a left knee contusion. In a corresponding move, James Outman was sent back down to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Heyward has held a .203/.299/.398 line with four home runs across 42 games this season. The former World Series champion will likely be in the starting nine against all right-handed pitchers and is already back in the lineup this evening as the Dodgers face Boston right-hander Kutter Crawford. Heyward is best left off your DFS lineup this evening, as Crawford has held a stellar 2.11 ERA and 0.76 WHIP across his past six starts.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward (knee) is likely to be activated from the injured list following the All-Star break. The veteran outfielder landed on the injured list earlier this month due to a left knee contusion. It sounds like Heyward is making progress and won't require a rehab assignment before heading back to Los Angeles. He's slashing .203/.299/.398 with four home runs this season. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore Heyward for fantasy purposes.
Jason Heyward To The Injured List, James Outman Recalled
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed outfielder Jason Heyward (knee) on the 10-day injured list with a left-knee contusion, according to manager Dave Roberts. The good news is that Heyward's meniscus and ligaments are intact. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers recalled outfielder James Outman from Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 34-year-old Heyward could be back shortly after the All-Star break as a left-handed-hitting platoon outfielder for LA. Heyward has only 118 at-bats in 2024 due to injuries and is hitting a weak .203/.299/.398 with four homers, 20 RBI and 16 runs scored. Outma, 27, was sent to the farm in May and hit .285/.396/.556 with 10 homers and 22 RBI in 182 plate appearances for Oklahoma City. He figures to see occasional starts against righties. On Friday, Miguel Vargas enters the outfield picture in left field and will bat seventh for the Blue.
Jason Heyward Headed For MRI On Knee After Awkward Landing
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward (knee) left Thursday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with discomfort in his left knee. Heyward landed awkwardly after trying to rob a home run in the first inning and left the game after the second inning. After the game, manager Dave Roberts said that Heyward will get an MRI tomorrow and won't be in the lineup. If the injury is serious, James Outman could get recalled to the majors to replace Heyward. Outman has been hitting the light out in Triple-A and could be an interesting pick up, especially in deeper formats.
Jason Heyward
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