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Padres Send Direct Message on Struggling $191 Million Veteran

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 4:05 PM ET

As it turns out, Luis Arráez isn’t the only veteran bat likely returning to the San Diego Padres lineup this week.

Padres manager Mike Shildt announced Sunday that left fielder Jason Heyward could rejoin the team as soon as Tuesday. San Diego placed Heyward on the injured list earlier this month with left knee inflammation.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Heyward hit on the field and participated in defensive drills before Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

San Diego inked Heyward to a one-year, $1 million contract in February, hoping the 35-year-old still had something left in the tank. Instead, Heyward began his Padres career hitting .190 with a home run, six RBI, and an ugly .541 OPS across 48 plate appearances.

The 16-year veteran tallied -0.2 bWAR over 17 games, continuing the fears that arose during his poor spring training. However, it appears the 2015 All-Star will remain in the lineup despite his rough start.

None of this is new for Heyward, who has averaged 1.2 WAR since signing an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2016 season. At his best, Heyward is a replacement-level lefty bat, though that’s typically not enough for playoff contenders.

Heyward split last season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros, hitting .218 in 258 plate appearances. He owns a .256 average, 185 home runs, a .746 OPS, and 41.9 bWAR since debuting with the Atlanta Braves in 2010.

At least Heyward’s $1 million Padres contract pushed him over $191 million in career earnings. We’ll see if he adds a second World Series ring to his resume, too.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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