Heyward still has time to prove himself
SAN DIEGO — As outfielder Jason Heyward returned to the lineup Monday after four days to clear his mind on the bench, it’s tempting to view the final six weeks as his tryout for a starting job in the playoffs.
But that’s clearly not how manager Joe Maddon sees it, at least not with this much time left before the postseason.
“I just want to make the playoffs and then we’ll take it from there,” Maddon said before the Cubs opened a three- game series against the Padres. “He’s still got six weeks or so. There’s so much baseball to be played. So many different things are going to occur.
“He could become the hottest hitter in the National League over the next month, and he’s very capable of that. I don’t even think about the playoffs. I don’t think about playoff rosters.”
Heyward, who entered Monday’s game with a .225 average and just five home runs, has struggled even more after the All- Star break, batting .170 with one homer.
He responded in the fifth inning with his first homer since July 29, a two- run shot just out of the reach of right fielder Patrick Kiviehan.
He also committed a two- base error — his first of the season — in the sixth after a routine single skipped past him.
“I want to see a smile on his face, playing hard like he always does,” Maddon said. “I’d rather see him cut back on his work right now and just play the game. I want him fresh mentally and physically, because there’s so many different ways he can help you win a baseball game. He can’t try anything differently. He can’t work any harder. It’s impossible. So just go play.”
Maddon said he’s been impressed with Heyward’s poise and steady demeanor through the struggles.
“What you’re talking about is emotional intelligence,” Maddon said.
And what he’s not talking about is the playoffs and Heyward’s would- be role.
“I don’t worry about stuff like that,” Maddon said. “I’ve been involved in the playoffs several times. I don’t get ahead of myself ever, and I don’t want to do that now.”
Notes
Tommy La Stella went 1- for- 4 with a double for Class AAA Iowa on Monday. He’s expected to rejoin the team after rosters expand in September.
Jorge Soler, who was limited to a pinch- hitting appearance Sunday after fouling a ball off his knee Saturday night, is improving and could be back in the lineup Tuesday.