Chicago Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward is out of Monday’s lineup because of a wrist injury. It is unclear when he’ll return.
Continue for updates.
Heyward to Miss Multiple Games with Sore Wrist
Monday, May 2
Heyward will not start against the Pittsburgh Pirates as he receives treatment for his sore right wrist, per Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The wrist has been an issue since the first week of the season, and Heyward will get “at least” two days off, reported Wittenmyer, who added he’ll be available off the bench.
After being hit in the face by a Jonathon Niese pitch in 2013 as a member of the Atlanta Braves, Heyward has played in a majority of games for the past two seasons. However, this is hardly the start the Cubs wanted from Heyward in Chicago.
The right fielder signed an eight-year, $184 million contract in the offseason with the Cubs after one season with the divisional rival St. Louis Cardinals.
His numbers over the first six years of his career don’t suggest that Heyward is worth that kind of money. He had a career .268 batting average entering the 2016 season and hit more than 20 home runs just once.
Heyward has been struggling thus far in 2016, hitting a mere .211 with zero home runs and 13 RBI.
While Heyward’s power numbers have lacked since he hit 27 home runs in 2012, he has proved he can find a way to get on base, averaging an on-base percentage of over .340 in the past three seasons. This year, it has slipped to .317.
He also rounds out his game by providing a stellar glove in the outfield with Gold Glove awards in 2012 and 2014.
Unfortunately for the Cubs, they are in the toughest division in baseball in the National League Central. The Cardinals and Pirates also have playoff aspirations and will be a constant in the playoff picture all season. The hope for Chicago fans is that Heyward can recovery quickly and return to the form that netted him such a lofty contract.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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