After being designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a log jam at outfield with the return of Mookie Betts and acquisitions of Tommy Edman and Kevin Kiermaier, MLBbro Jason Heyward has cleared waivers and is signing with the Houston Astros to give them much needed depth at the position.

 

The Astros star outfielder Kyle Tucker is currently making his way back from a shin contusion he suffered on June 3 and Mauricio Dubon has been shaky at the plate. This gives the veteran bat and five-time Gold Glove winner Heyward plenty of opportunity to showcase his ability to get the playing time he deserves.

 

Jason Heyward Has Been The Unsung Hero For LA Dodgers This Season

 

Age Aint Nothing But a Number… J-Hey Still Gets It Done

 

While with the Dodgers the 35-year-old Heyward slashed .208/ .289/ .393 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 63 games this season. Yes, the average is down, but if you look at Heyward’s career its par for when he has decreased playing time.

 

In 2022 while with the Chicago Cubs, Heyward batted a career low .204 average in 137 at bats but spent most of the year on IL due to a quadricep strain.

 

Let’s dive a little deeper. If we look at Dubon’s numbers he’s slashed for .255/ .284/ .359 with four homers and 38 RBIs in 2024. Here’s the kicker… He’s had 329 at bats compared to Heyward’s 173. That’s right, almost double the opportunity. It seems with Tucker out, J-Hey is exactly what the Astros need.

 

 

Championship Experience on a Contender Is Like Pringles… You Can Never Have Enough

 

The Astros are currently 3½ games ahead of the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West and looking to win their second World Series since 2022 under Dusty Baker.

 

Having Heyward in the locker room for the home stretch of the season may do wonders since he has playoff and World Series experience, having played in 46 post-season games and winning a championship with the Cubs in 2016; where his leadership was shown in the biggest game of his career and for the franchise.

 

 

Heyward led an inspiring player’s only meeting in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series during a 17-minute rain delay, that many players credit for lighting the fire to get them over the hump to win their first championship in 108 years.

 

Maybe J-Hey can catch lightning in a bottle again for Houston.  He’ll get the opportunity.