In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Thursday that they have designated veteran outfielder Jason Heyward for assignment. The decision comes as the team faces a roster crunch and makes room for the return of Chris Taylor from the injured list.

Heyward, known for his respected presence in the clubhouse, has struggled with limited playing time this season, which ultimately led to him becoming the odd man out. With Taylor's activation, the Dodgers opted to keep Kevin Kiermaier as their only left-handed hitter on the bench, leaving Heyward facing uncertain future prospects.

Rival teams will now have seven days to claim Heyward off waivers; otherwise, he will be released and become a free agent. Despite his struggles, Heyward can still be eligible for the postseason if he joins another team before the end of August. The outfielder had a subpar season, slashing.208/.289/.393 in 197 plate appearances during his second year with the Dodgers.

However, Heyward's last at-bat proved to be a memorable one. He delivered a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning, securing a victory for the Dodgers over the Seattle Mariners. Manager Dave Roberts praised the clutch performance, calling it "the highlight, for me, of the season thus far."

Now 35 years old, Jason Heyward was once considered a highly regarded prospect. He was drafted 14th overall out of high school and quickly became a sensation with the Atlanta Braves in his early 20s. Throughout his career, Heyward amassed an impressive record, including five Gold Gloves, an All-Star selection, 115 home runs, and 101 stolen bases.

After stints with the Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs, injuries and inconsistencies began to hinder Heyward's performance. The Cubs eventually released him in the 2022 season, despite a full year remaining on his contract. The Dodgers took a chance on Heyward, signing him to a minor league deal at the recommendation of his close friend Freddie Freeman. Heyward had a solid 2023 season, batting .813 with 15 home runs in 124 games. However, this year, his production has failed to live up to expectations.

As Heyward hits the market, he is likely to draw interest from other playoff contenders seeking a veteran presence and potential postseason impact. The next chapter in Heyward's career now awaits as teams assess whether his experience and skills can contribute to a push towards the playoffs.