When news broke on Tuesday that the Houston Astros would be signing Jason Heyward after the veteran was released by the Dodgers, it was a little confusing. Heyward is still a strong outfield defender, had a decent year at bat in 2023, and is a great player for the team. However, playing time in the outfield is already a bit chaotic for the Astros, and adding Heyward won’t make it any easier.
An increase in confusion suggests that Heyward’s selection could be a sign of trouble ahead. With Kyle Tucker still out with what is being called a “shin contusion,” one wonders if the Astros believe Tucker’s absence could continue for a while.
Kyle Tucker’s injury story has been slow and arduous. Since he let a ball bounce off his leg in June, most updates on his injury have said he is “slowly progressing” and “working every day.” However, most updates from the team and elsewhere have at least suggested that Tucker is not working regularly for the club and his return to the Astros this year is far from certain.
In a world where Tucker’s injury recovery continues to stall, the Heyward signing suddenly makes a lot more sense. Tucker’s absence and Chas McCormick’s struggles mean Houston may need another option, especially late in games as a backup on defense. Heyward may not be the hitter he once was, but he has experience in playoff runs and can still provide plenty of value with his glove down the stretch and in the postseason.
If Tucker returns soon, the Astros can still use Heyward late in games, especially if Yordan Álvarez plays in the field. Adding him also protects against future injuries in the outfield. It does There is a bit of a feeling that the impetus for his signing is that they are not entirely sure whether Tucker will be back in the near future.
