Dodgers’ Jason Heyward Reveals How Hard it Was to Miss Time On Injured List
After missing 40 games due to a back injury, Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward made his return to the field last week. In his first game action since late March, Heyward went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run as the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds.
After the game, Heyward revealed the difficult road back to game action.
“I hate missing games, I hate not being there with the guys, I hate not making road trips, I hate watching games on television.”
— Jason Heyward, via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times
In a short time, Heyward has quickly become a clubhouse staple for L.A. Not only is he a vocal leader for the team, but he also mentors the team’s younger outfielders. James Outman used a short stroke from the left side of the plate, similar to Heyward’s, to become the runner-up to the National League Rookie of the Year Award last season.
Since Outman was demoted to Triple-A, Miguel Vargas has returned from Triple-A, joining rookie Andy Pages in the outfield.
The Dodgers (33-18) have the second-best record in the NL. In seven games this season, Heyward is 5 for 24 (.208) with four RBIs and a stolen base in addition to his home run.
“I missed being part of the vibe. I did my best to stay sane, to stay in the group text [chain] like crazy as soon as the games were over and we won, but I just wanted to be out there playing again.”
— Jason Heyward, via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times
The 34-year-old returns to the Dodgers primarily as a platoon outfielder. Along with Heyward, the Dodgers called up Vargas to form a natural platoon in the outfield playing alongside Pages and Teoscar Hernández.
Most will remember Vargas from his time with the big league club last year. The Dodgers played him as their primary second baseman for the first half of 2023. Unfortunately, Vargas could not find his footing and was sent down prior to the trade deadline.
Now, the Dodgers will look to both of these players to bolster the bottom part of the lineup. With the subtraction of Outman and the additions of Heyward and Vargas, perhaps that unit could see a bit of a turnaround.
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Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
