JASON HEYWARD NEWS

Day off Sunday Heyward is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Impact With Colorado starting lefty Austin Gomber, Heyward and Rafael Ortega will both hit the bench, with Michael Hermosillo getting the start in center. Heyward may also sit in Monday's series opener against the Rays, as lefty Shane McClanahan is the scheduled starter, but the veteran should be back in the lineup sometime next week.

APRIL 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies two hits Saturday Heyward went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's loss to the Rockies.

Impact The triple was the first of the season for Heyward, who is off to a strong start with a .333 average and .844 OPS through six games. The veteran outfielder batted just .214 in 2021 with a .627 OPS, both of which were career worsts. He might slow down from his current pace, but any kind of bounceback in 2022 would be welcome.

APRIL 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Honoring Jackie more than one day for Stroman, Heyward DENVER -- Cubs manager David Ross' phone buzzed with a text from Jason Heyward on Thursday night. On the eve of Jackie Robinson Day, the vet...

APRIL 16, 2022 • MLB.COM

On bench against southpaw Heyward isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Impact Heyward appears to be in line for a platoon role early in the season, and he'll take a seat in Thursday's series opener in Colorado with southpaw Kyle Freeland on the mound for the Rockies. Michael Hermosillo will start in center field and bat seventh.

APRIL 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sits against southpaw Heyward will be on the bench Tuesday against the Pirates.

Impact Reports from late in camp suggested Heyward could be in line for a platoon in center field, and the first four lineups of the season back up that idea. Heyward started in center against righties in the first three games of the year but will hit the bench Tuesday against Jose Quintana, the first lefty the Cubs have faced this season.

APRIL 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting in center again Heyward is starting in center field and batting seventh in Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Impact This will be the second start in center through two games for Heyward, with Rafael Ortega serving as the DH both times. It looks like the Cubs value Heyward's defense enough to make him a regular starter, though there will likely be days where Ortega slides over to center and Clint Frazier serves as the DH. Still, the early playing time is promising for the veteran Heyward.

APRIL 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could platoon in center Heyward is an option to work in a center field platoon along with Michael Hermosillo and potentially Rafael Ortega, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact The arrival of Seiya Suzuki from Japan signaled the end of Heyward's time as the everyday right fielder, but he's capable of playing center as well. Ortega seemed like the favorite for playing time there after a strong 2021 campaign, but Heyward is a more veteran option, and both players bat from the left side. Hermosillo would give the Cubs an option from the other side of the plate. Until one of these players emerges with a more defined role, their fantasy outlooks all look a bit murky.

MARCH 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Is winning the offseason worth it? Depends on the year

It has been 13 years since the big-spending New York Yankees “bought” their 27th World Series championship with free agents CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira

MARCH 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Triples, drives in one Wednesday Heyward went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.

Impact The triple is a nice sign for Heyward, as the veteran outfielder only had two of them last season. The 32-year-old used to be a threat for 20 stolen bases and a handful of triples every year, but he's not surprisingly slowed down some on the basepaths. Heyward may lose his everyday role in 2022 with Seiya Suzuki now in town, which caps the former's fantasy value for the time being.

MARCH 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Japanese OF Suzuki finalizes 5-year deal with new-look Cubs

Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki is joining the new-look Chicago Cubs, finalizing an $85 million, five-year deal

MARCH 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chicago Cubs veteran Jason Heyward is prepared for a potential shift to center field with Seiya Suzuki's arrival Chicago Cubs veteran outfielder Jason Heyward is willing to shift to center field to make way for Japanese star outfielder Seiya Suzuki.

MARCH 18, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Ready for work in center Heyward has worked some in center field to begin the spring due to the arrival of Seiya Suzuki, who will likely be the everyday right fielder, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Suzuki's deal is for five years and $85 million, so the Japanese import should play a ton. The veteran Heyward may not offer much with the bat any more, but his defensive prowess could still get him into the lineup. A shift to center field on a somewhat regular basis for Heyward would negatively impact Rafael Ortega's playing time, though the Cubs do now have the universal DH to help loosen the outfield logjam.

MARCH 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Might lose playing time With the Cubs agreeing to a deal with Seiya Suzuki on Wednesday, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Heyward may see his playing time reduced this season.

Impact Rosenthal reports that the deal is for five years and $85 million, so the Cubs are paying Suzuki to be an everyday player. The Japanese 27-year-old is expected to see much of his time in right field, where he's able to deploy his strong throwing arm. That's where Heyward played exclusively in 2021, though the veteran has played some in center in the past. It seems more likely that Heyward, who posted just a .627 OPS last season, is relegated to more of a reserve role in 2022 at the age of 32.

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

AP source: Cubs, Seiya Suzuki agree to $85M, 5-year deal

A person familiar with the situation says the Chicago Cubs and star Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki have agreed to an $85-million, five-year deal

MARCH 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs' Jason Heyward breaks down MLB's lockout 'goal' of delaying 2022 season ' Sporting News The outfielder believes the league didn't much care to start the season on time.

MARCH 3, 2022 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Fully recovered from concussion Heyward is symptom-free after suffering a concussion late in the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Heyward took a knee to the face in mid-September and did not return to the field. However, he is now expected to have a regular offseason after fully recovering from the injury. It remains to be seen what his role in Chicago may be in 2022, as the team could opt to play more youthful options in the outfield. However, he's owed $22 million for each of the next two seasons, so he's unlikely to be going anywhere in the near future.

NOVEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs looking to pick themselves up after dismantling core

The Chicago Cubs come into the offseason with a long list of issues to address

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lester expected to start as Cardinals host the Cubs

The Cardinals are expected to send Jon Lester to the mound Saturday and the Cubs will give Adrian Sampson the start

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chicago to visit Pittsburgh Thursday

The Cubs will start Justin Steele on Thursday while the Pirates have yet to announce who will get the start

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hendricks scheduled to start for Chicago against Pittsburgh

The Cubs will start Kyle Hendricks on Wednesday and the Pirates are expected to counter with Roansy Contreras

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates beat Cubs 8-6 as Chicago's skid reaches seven games

Colin Moran hit a three-run home run and drove in four runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates dealt the Cubs their seventh straight loss, rallying to beat Chicago 8-6 on Tuesday night

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Patrick Mooney: The Cubs shut down outfielder Jason Heyward... - The Athletic The Cubs shut down outfielder Jason Heyward (concussion) and pitcher Keegan Thompson (right shoulder inflammation) for the last week of the...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Officially out for season Heyward (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Impact Heyward has been on the injured list since mid-September, and he saw a specialist Tuesday. Manager David Ross confirmed that the 32-year-old will miss the remainder of season, which should lead to increased playing time for Trayce Thompson and Nick Martini across the final few games of the year. Heyward appeared in 104 games in 2021 and slashed .214/.280/.347 with eight homers, 35 runs, 30 RBI and five stolen bases.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Keller expected to start as Pittsburgh hosts Chicago

The Cubs will start Alec Mills on Tuesday while the Pirates are expected to counter with Mitch Keller

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Thompson scheduled to start as Chicago hosts St. Louis

The Cubs will roll out Keegan Thompson to the mound Sunday and the Cardinals will give Jake Woodford the start

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS