Jason Heyward DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

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.

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.