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Stefan Tonev
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Dodgers sign veteran Heyward to minor league contract
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The outfielder is a non-roster invitee to spring training

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Jason Heyward to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training, the MLB team said on Thursday.

Last month, the 33-year-old outfielder was released by Chicago Cubs with one year and $22 million remaining on his eight-year contract.

The Cubs are responsible for the rest of his salary, save for the major league minimum of $720,000 should Heyward make the Dodgers.

Heyward hit just .211/.280/.326 over the last two seasons, with nine home runs and 20 doubles in 152 games as injuries besieged Heyward him over the period – he spent time on the injured list for his hamstring, a finger, and a concussion in 2021.

Then he missed the final three-plus months with right knee inflammation, having last played on June 24.

Among the 298 major league hitters with at least 500 plate appearances combined in 2021-22, Heyward’s 67 wRC+ranked 286th.

In 13 major league seasons, Heyward is a .257/.339/.406 with 159 home runs, 269 doubles, and a 104 wRC+. Throughout his career he’s been a much better hitter against right-handed pitchers, hitting .267/.353/.432 with a 114 wRC+, compared to .231/.302/.340 with a 77 wRC+ against southpaws.

Heyward — who has been a plus defender throughout his career mostly in right field but some in center as well, including five Gold Glove Awards — joins a competition for playing time in the Dodgers outfield that includes Trayce Thompson, Chris Taylor, plus rookies James Outman and Miguel Vargas to go along with right field fixture Mookie Betts.