Jason Heyward is the odd man out in a Dodgers roster crunch, the highly respected veteran outfielder getting designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for returning utility man Chris Taylor, the team announced Thursday.
Not even a dramatic pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s 6-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners could save Heyward’s job, as the Dodgers chose to keep four-time Gold Glove Award-winning center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, versatile utility man Kiké Hernández and Taylor on the bench.
Heyward provided another highlight on June 19 in Coors Field when he crushed a pinch-hit grand slam off the right-field foul pole to spark a seven-run ninth inning that gave the Dodgers an 11-9 win over the Colorado Rockies.