Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward has hit another bump in the road after being designated for assignment by the San Diego Padres. The franchise has the next few days to either find a trade or to allow Heyward to choose between the minor leagues or free agency. If the outfielder reaches free agency as expected, the Braves should attempt a reunion.
This isn't to argue that Heyward is going to step in and be an option for the team in the starting lineup. Rather, the team should look at handing the veteran the final bench spot until Jurickson Profar is able to return.
Jason Heyward Should Rejoin the Braves Roster in a Limited Role
Any time Heyward spends on the active roster is to replace Stuart Fairchild. The veteran is an inferior offensive option to Alex Verdugo and hasn't given any reason to believe his defense is at the elite levels it once reached.
It is also possible the team is going to trade either Verdugo or Eli White in an effort to add depth to other positions. This is the only reason the Braves could add Heyward and expect to keep the veteran beyond a week or two.
An important qualifier to this is that the franchise must be willing to be up front with Heyward about this and not handle another former franchise player poorly as they did with Craig Kimbrel. Having the veteran outfielder return to Atlanta needs to be in a very specific set of circumstances, either as an answer until Profar returns or as part of a larger move.
The former All-Star was a productive member of the Los Angeles Dodgers roster in the 2023 season and breathed life back into his career. In the two campaigns since, things have regressed, and the numbers are simply too ugly for Atlanta to add Heyward long-term. Still, a short reunion could be a fun story in what has been a miserable 2025 season.