Jason Heyward has been a star in Major League Baseball for over a decade. A three-time Gold Glove Award winner and a World Series champion, Heyward has been a standout player for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs.
However, his 2022 season didn’t go as planned. Heyward struggled with injuries and performance issues throughout the season, ultimately leading to the Cubs’ decision to move on from him.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what happened to Heyward in the 2022 season, including his slump in performance, his injury, and the Cubs’ decision to let him go. We’ll also explore what this means for Heyward’s future and his legacy in baseball.
Heyward’s Performance Leading Up to June 24, 2022
Jason Heyward had a difficult start to the 2022 season, as he struggled with performance issues and injuries. In particular, Heyward was in the middle of a slump in the games leading up to June 24th, 2022.
Over the course of his previous 10 games, Heyward had gone just 4-for-34 at the plate, with only one extra-base hit.
Unfortunately, Heyward’s final game of the season came on June 24th, 2022. In that game, Heyward went 0-for-4 at the plate, failing to get on base or drive in any runs.
This was a disappointing end to a tough stretch for Heyward, who had been a key player for the Cubs in previous seasons.
Heyward’s struggles in the 2022 season were particularly frustrating given his strong performance in 2021. In that season, he hit .278 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI, helping to lead the Cubs to a division title.
However, injuries and poor performance plagued Heyward throughout the 2022 season, ultimately leading to the Cubs’ decision to move on from him.
Heyward’s Injury and Time on the Injured List
In addition to his slump in performance, Jason Heyward also suffered from injuries during the 2022 season. One such injury was knee inflammation, which landed him on the injured list.
Heyward’s knee inflammation was serious enough that the Cubs placed him on the 10-day injured list on June 28th, just a few days after his final game of the season.
This move allowed Heyward to rest and recover, while also giving the Cubs an opportunity to bring in another player to fill his roster spot.
Unfortunately, Heyward’s knee inflammation persisted, and he remained on the injured list for several weeks. On July 12th, the Cubs transferred Heyward from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list, effectively ending his season.
This move was made in order to free up a roster spot for another player, as Heyward was not expected to return to the field in 2022.
Overall, Heyward’s time on the injured list was a frustrating setback for both him and the Cubs. Knee inflammation can be a difficult injury to recover from, and Heyward’s extended time on the injured list likely contributed to the Cubs’ decision to move on from him in the offseason.
The Cubs’ Decision to Move on From Heyward
In August of 2022, the Chicago Cubs announced that they would be moving on from Jason Heyward in the offseason. This decision came after a disappointing 2022 season for Heyward, in which he struggled with injuries and performance issues.
There were several possible reasons for the Cubs’ decision to let Heyward go. One factor was Heyward’s performance in 2022.
As previously mentioned, Heyward struggled with a slump and injuries throughout the season, ultimately finishing with a .205 batting average, 6 home runs, and 22 RBI in 61 games played.
This was a significant drop-off from his production in previous seasons, and it likely contributed to the Cubs’ decision to move on.
Another factor was Heyward’s contract. Heyward signed an eight-year, $184 million deal with the Cubs in 2016, which made him one of the highest-paid players in the league at the time.
However, as Heyward’s performance declined over the years, his contract became more burdensome for the Cubs. Moving on from Heyward would allow the Cubs to free up salary cap space for other players.
Finally, the Cubs’ decision to move on from Heyward was likely influenced by their plans for the future. The Cubs have been in the midst of a rebuilding process in recent years, and they may have felt that Heyward was no longer a part of their long-term plans.
By letting him go, they could focus on developing younger players and building for the future.
Overall, the Cubs’ decision to move on from Heyward was a difficult one, given his history with the team and his status as a veteran leader. However, it was ultimately a necessary move for the team as they look to rebuild and improve in the years ahead.
Jason Heyward’s 2022 season with the Chicago Cubs:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Performance before June 24th | 4-for-34 slump |
| Final game of the season | June 24th, 2022 |
| Performance in final game | 0-for-4 at the plate |
| Injury | Knee inflammation |
| Time on injured list | Several weeks |
| Cubs’ decision to move on | Announced in August 2022 |
| Possible reasons for decision | Heyward’s performance, contract, and the Cubs’ plans for the future |
The table summarizes the key details of Heyward’s 2022 season, including his slump leading up to June 24th, his final game of the season, his injury and time on the injured list, and the Cubs’ decision to move on from him in the offseason.
The table also lists some of the possible reasons for the Cubs’ decision, including Heyward’s performance, his contract, and the team’s plans for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Heyward suffer any other injuries during the 2022 season?
There is no public record of any other significant injuries that Heyward suffered during the 2022 season besides the knee inflammation that landed him on the injured list.
Was Heyward still a productive player before the 2022 season?
Yes, Heyward had a solid season in 2021, batting .276 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI in 136 games played. He also played solid defense in the outfield, making several highlight-reel catches throughout the season.
Will Heyward continue to play in the MLB in 2023?
As of April 2023, Jason Heyward is a free agent and has not signed with any team. It remains to be seen whether he will continue to play in the MLB in 2023 or beyond.
How did Cubs fans react to the news that the team would be moving on from Heyward?
Opinions among Cubs fans were mixed, with some expressing disappointment at the news and others feeling that it was a necessary move for the team. Overall, however, Heyward was a respected veteran player and leader on the team, and his contributions to the Cubs’ success in previous seasons were widely acknowledged.
To Recap
Jason Heyward’s 2022 season with the Chicago Cubs was a disappointing one, marked by injuries and performance struggles.
Heyward’s final game of the season came on June 24th, when he went 0-for-4 at the plate before being placed on the injured list due to knee inflammation.
Heyward remained on the injured list for several weeks before the Cubs announced in August that they would be moving on from him in the offseason.
While there were several factors that likely influenced this decision, including Heyward’s performance in 2022 and his expensive contract, the Cubs’ plans for the future were also a significant consideration.
Although Heyward’s time with the Cubs may be coming to an end, he will always be remembered for his contributions to the team’s success in previous seasons.
Heyward was an important player on the Cubs’ 2016 World Series-winning team, and he served as a veteran leader and mentor for younger players in subsequent years.
As the Cubs continue to rebuild and look toward the future, it remains to be seen what the next chapter holds for both the team and Heyward. However, fans will no doubt remember his time with the Cubs fondly and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
