With the likelihood of an MLB lockout looming, the Los Angeles Dodgers snuck in the signing of Andrew Heaney to a one-year contract as their first move of the offseason following the 2021 season.
Heaney was coming off a disappointing finish with the New York Yankees, but had a robust market and chose to sign with the Dodgers before the lockout began in order to get in contact with pitching coaches and begin the process of bouncing back.
The Dodgers’ confidence in Heaney’s upside paid off as he performed well when healthy. Unfortunately for Heaney and L.A., health limited him to just 16 games (14 starts) last year.
Heaney earned the fifth spot in the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation but made just two turns before going on the 10-day injured list due to left shoulder discomfort. The team was optimistic Heaney would quickly return, but his recovery did not match expectations.
Heaney remained on the IL for two months and made just one start before succumbing to more left shoulder trouble. He missed five more weeks before returning for the remainder of the season.
Providing length in starts proved to be problematic for the 31-year-old, but that was overshadowed by a string of outings in which Heaney was snake bit by the home run ball. The southpaw endured a stretch of allowing at least one homer in five consecutive starts, including one that saw him surrender a career-high-tying four long balls.
Heaney finished the regular season by making two relief appearances in order to prepare for the role he would fill in the playoffs.
Overall in 2022, he went 4-4 with a 3.10 ERA, 3.75 FIP and 1.08 WHIP. Heaney then allowed one run over three innings against the San Diego Padres during a relief appearance in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
Andrew Heaney 2022 highlight
Facing the Cincinnati Reds on April 17 in just his second start for the Dodgers, Heaney collected a season-high 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings.
That wound up representing his longest outing of the 2022 season, which was tied when Heaney logged six innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 24 as well.
2023 outlook
Heaney again had interest from several teams in free agency before deciding to sign with the Texas Rangers. Along with Jacob deGrom, Heaney looks to provide some stability and improvement in the Rangers rotation as they attempt to become a postseason team.
More must-reads: