Dodgers Place Jason Heyward on IL, Add Taylor Trammell to Active Roster

The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially placed outfielder Jason Heyward on the injured list with lower back tightness. Outfielder Taylor Trammell, who the team added on Tuesday, has been added to the active roster.

Heyward has been dealing with a back issue since the Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels at the end of spring training. He was scratched from the lineup in the final spring game, but was able to play in the first two games of the Dodgers’ series against the Cardinals when St. Louis had a right-handed pitcher on the mound.

However, Heyward hasn’t played since March 30, and is now going on the injured list to let his back fully heal. Heyward is 3-for-14 to start the season with two runs batted in.

In the meantime, the Dodgers will be utilizing Trammell, who the team added off of waivers on Tuesday in the wake of the Heyward injury news.

Trammell was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners after he didn’t make the team’s Opening Day roster and was out of options.

Trammell is a former first-round pick and top prospect, but hasn’t been able to put it together at the MLB level. The Dodgers are taking a chance on him as a left-handed outfielder to replace Heyward.

Why Didn’t the Dodgers Call Up Andy Pages or Miguel Vargas to Replace Jason Heyward?

The Dodgers have two outfielders in Triple-A who could have been called up to replace Heyward. However, both Andy Pages and Miguel Vargas are right-handed, which is likely the main reason they weren’t the top options to replace Heyward.

Additionally, Vargas struggled at the MLB level last year, while Pages has only played five games at Triple-A in his career.

Both could use some more time in Triple-A to hone in their skills, and should see playing time at the MLB level later this season.

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