Heyward (back) took batting practice on the field prior to Saturday's game against Atlanta, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Hewyard was cleared to begin baseball activities Friday, and Saturday marked the first time he has taken batting practice since landing on the injured list April 3. The veteran outfielder still doesn't have a clear return timeline, but he may move onto simulated games if his back is able to hold up after a few rounds of BP.
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Dodgers' Jason Heyward: Begins baseball activities
Rotowire
Heyward (back) ran at full speed Friday and began swinging a bat, J.P. Hoornstra of DodgersNation.com reports.
Heyward landed on the 10-day IL on April 3 due to lower back tightness. The injury persisted well past his return window, and Friday marked the first time that the veteran outfielder has participated in any sort of baseball activities. The Dodgers will have a better idea of a timeline for his return once they see how Heyward's back responds to his most recent work.
Dodgers' Jason Heyward: Not cleared for baseball activities
Rotowire
Heyward (back) has not yet been cleared to resume baseball activities, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
The Dodgers' last update on Heyward was that he was still experiencing soreness in his back, and it doesn't sound as though he's progressed much over the last week. Considering Hayward hasn't seen any game action since April 1, he'll likely need a considerable amount of time to ramp up once cleared. A timetable for his return should begin to come into focus once he can resume baseball drills.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Heyward (back) is still experiencing "residual soreness" and isn't yet swinging a bat, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The veteran outfielder hoped to return when first eligible after he landed on the 10-day injured list April 3 with back soreness, but he's still having issues nearly three weeks later. Heyward will need some time to build back up once cleared to swing before starting a rehab assignment, so he's likely at least a few weeks away from rejoining the Dodgers.
Dodgers' Jason Heyward: Still experiencing soreness
Rotowire
Heyward (back) continues to deal with soreness and will be required to complete a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Manager Dave Roberts didn't indicate when Heyward might get the green light to head out on a rehab stint, as the club will likely wait until he's feeling closer to 100 percent before allowing him to move to the next step. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez should continue to see an uptick in opportunities in the corner outfield while Heyward returns to health.
Dodgers' Jason Heyward: Hopes to return when eligible
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that he's optimistic Heyward (back) will be ready to return from the IL when first eligible April 13, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Heyward landed on the injured list earlier this week with lower-back tightness, an issue which the outfielder said was cropping up on days he was coming off the bench. It's not clear whether Heyward might be asked to go out on a short rehab assignment before being activated.
