DODGERS NEWS: JASON HEYWARD EXITS FOURTH OF JULY GAME EARLY
The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a setback on Independence Day as Jason Heyward left the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to left knee pain.
Heyward was replaced by Miguel Vargas at the start of the third inning. Vargas took over in left field, while Teoscar Hernández shifted to right field. Heyward's only appearance at the plate resulted in a groundout during the first inning, leaving runners stranded at the corners.
Last season, Heyward enjoyed a resurgence with the Dodgers, but this year has been a different story. After signing a one-year contract, he started the season with promise but was sidelined by lower back tightness, landing him on the 10-day injured list on April 3. Despite hopes for a quick recovery, multiple setbacks delayed his return until May 17.
Related: Dodgers News: LA Trade Target Surprisingly DFA'd
Since rejoining the team, Heyward has struggled to find his form. Over 38 games, including 30 starts, he has posted a batting line of .203/.299/.398 with seven doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 20 RBIs. His 42 games played this season rank behind only Hernández and Andy Pages among Dodgers outfielders, with Chris Taylor leading the group by appearing in 50 games, including time spent in the infield.
The Dodgers have recently relied on Taylor to fill in at third base as Max Muncy recovers from a right oblique strain, with Kiké Hernández and Cavan Biggio also getting opportunities.
2024-07-05T13:59:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd