Jason Heyward DFA’d by San Diego Padres
El Paso Chihuahuas
The San Diego Padres need offensive help.
However, said help will not be coming from veteran Jason Heyward.
The Padres designated Heyward for assignment before the game on Saturday. He was in El Paso rehabbing an injury for the second time this season.
Heyward was the starting left fielder on opening day but recorded a .494 OPS in 34 games and 85 at-bats. It is unclear whether Heyward will be signed or claimed by another team, but the Padres are on the hook for the $1 million owed to the outfielder for the 2025 season.
With Heyward’s release, the Padres now cut three veteran players signed in the winter. Yuli Gurriel was cut from the team, and the Padres DFA’d Connor Joe and sent him to Cincinnati for a minor league pitcher. The three men cost the Padres a little over $3 million, and the Padres still have issues in left field and offensively in general.
Tirso Ornelas makes sense for the Padres, but he is currently on the I.L. in El Paso.
The Padres designated Jason Heyward for assignment. Heyward was their starting left fielder for the early part of the season, but had posted a .494 OPS and twice landed on the IL.
Meanwhile, Bryan Hoeing returns from his shoulder injury, with Sean Reynolds optioned to Triple-A.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) June 21, 2025
At the moment, the Padres have no choice but to rotate Tyler Wade, Brandon Lockridge, and Bryce Johnson in left when Jackson Merrill returns next week. Trenton Brooks and Gavin Sheets can also play left, but the Padres would probably like to minimize Sheets’ innings in left.
The loss of Heyward may hurt the team in the locker room, as he was considered a leader.
It is unclear how the team will respond. But they aren’t playing good baseball right now at a consistent level, and they failed to do so when Heyward was on the team. It was time to move on from the 16-year veteran.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.