Dodgers’ Jason Heyward leaves Diamondbacks series finale with worrying injury

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Jason Heyward had to leave his team’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night due to knee pain, the team said:

Heyward left the game at the top of the third inning. Teoscar Hernandez moved to right field and Miguel Vargas came in and played left field.

Heyward missed more than a month earlier this season due to a lower back injury.

Los Angeles re-signed Heyward in December. He initially joined the club as a free agent in 2022.

Not many people knew what to expect from Heyward when he entered his debut season in Los Angeles last year, but he ended up having his best season in years.

In 124 games in 2023, Heyward posted an OPS average of .269/.340/.473 with 15 home runs and 40 RBI. Aside from the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, this was clearly Heyward’s most significant offensive performance since 2019. This year with the Chicago Cubs, he posted an OPS average of .772 with 21 long balls and 62 RBI.

Heyward also lived up to his brilliant reputation as a defender, playing solid outfield defense for LA, finishing with a 2.3 WAR, his best since 2019. It was also only the second time since 2016 that he posted a WAR of 2 or better.

So far this season, Heyward has a batting average of .205 with four home runs in 118 at-bats.

Dodgers also miss star Mookie Betts

The Dodgers will not see Mookie Betts in action for some time. They already knew that when it was announced that the star shortstop suffered a fractured hand in a home game against the Kansas City Royals last month. The former American League Most Valuable Player is expected to be out for another 2-4 weeks.

“You just have to stay there. You can’t be afraid, you just have to stay there, especially with a guy with a pretty good slider,” Betts said after the game, which the Dodgers won 3-0. “Just up and in. I held my position. Unfortunately, he hit me on the hand.”

Betts’ absence leaves a large hole on offense that the Dodgers must fill. So far in the 2024 MLB season, Betts has a batting average of .304/.405/.488 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs, along with a fantastic OPS+ of 154. In addition, Betts has posted a lower strikeout rate and a higher walk rate this season compared to his numbers in the 2023 season.

The Dodgers continue to win games in Betts’ absence. The team is currently 53-34, giving them a seven-game lead over the San Diego Padres in the National League West. While Los Angeles certainly misses Betts’ hitter, their lineup is good enough to keep them afloat until he returns.