Jason Heyward

Veteran outfielder Jason Heyward has cracked the Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day roster.

Fantasy Impact

The Dodgers signed Heyward to a minors deal this winter but he was expected to crack the Opening Day roster all along. He has hit two homers with a .658 OPS across 45 spring at-bats to this point and appeared in just 48 games with the Cubs last season while hitting .204 with a homer, a steal, and a .555 OPS across 151 trips to the plate. Even with his defense slipping, Heyward will provide outfield depth for the Dodgers to begin the 2023 campaign.

Dave Roberts said Jason Heyward “absolutely” has a leg up in competition for last outfield roster spot right now.

Fantasy Impact

Roberts liked how Heyward’s new swing looked yesterday, when he hit a live batting practice home run off Tony Gonsolin. He likely won't be fantasy relevant to open the season, but it is possible he could establish his role as the season moves along.

Jason Heyward has signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

Fantasy Impact

The Cubs parted ways with Heyward after last season with one year left on his deal and Heyward was free to sign anywhere else. He'll get a chance to bounce back with the Dodgers after putting up a 61 wRC+ in 2022. It's unlikely he will be much of a fantasy asset in 2023, but it wouldn't be a shock to see him on the Dodgers Major League roster at some point.

Jason Heyward has officially been granted his unconditional release by the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact

The Cubs announced their intention to release Heyward toward the end of last season and have now made it official. They still owe Heyward $22 million for next season, but the Cubs opt to let him explore other options while they use the roster spot for younger players. This could free up room in the outfield for players like top prospects Brennan Davis, Alexander Canario, or Pete Crow-Armstrong in 2023.

Jason Heyward won't return in 2022 from a knee injury and the Cubs will release him next year, according to Jed Hoyer.

Fantasy Impact

Heyward has one year remaining on his $184 million contract, but there's no need for the Cubs to continue to roster him, even if it means eating the remainder of his salary. Heyward had one season with Chicago with more than 11 home runs and although his defense was exemplary for much of his contract, he had barely hit above the Mendoza line for the past two seasons. A healthy Heyward will catch on somewhere but he's almost certainly not going to make a fantasy impact.