Heyward joining camp’s early birds

season, was one of a handful of players who took the field last week on the Cardinals’ side of Roger Dean Stadium for an informal workout with teammates.

While trucks were packed with equipment back at Busch Stadium for their migration south, nearly a dozen members of the 40-man roster were already at the spring complex.

Official workouts do not begin for another week. Pitchers and catchers do not have to report until Thursday. The first workout for them is Friday, with the full squad following a few days later.

It’s not a coincidence that Heyward, the newcomer, arrived early, nor that three of the earliest birds have been clubhouse pillars: pitcher Adam Wainwright, catcher Yadier Molina and outfielder Matt Holliday.

The latter two lived in the area this offseason and worked out frequently at the team’s spring training complex.

“That’s a good thing. I think it sends the right message to the club,” Wainwright said. “You get in here early, you’re working. You’ve put your priority on getting ready for spring training. You’re settling in. I think especially for young players the earlier you can get here the better. Cages to hit in. Mounds to use. There are a lot of good reasons to do it. But the main reason is that this is our job and we want to show not just the world but our teammates that it’s important to us.”

Heyward, who had been playing long toss in left field, said he preferred to hit in the cage, but he would take the opportunity to shag fly balls. Being at Roger Dean early has given him a chance to set up a house, know his way around Palm Beach County, and, on the weekend, bolt down to Miami to see his younger brother, Jacob Heyward, a sophomore on the University of Miami’s baseball team.

Heyward has yet to meet, face to face, general manager John Mozeliak, who made the four-player deal with Atlanta that landed Heyward, a former All-Star.

Heyward, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, will have more than two weeks at the complex with his new teammates before the first official fullsquad workout.

For the first time in his pro career, he’s not with the Braves, though part of the newness is the unexpected, which he welcomes.

MARC SEROTA / GETTY IMAGES Right fielder Jason Heyward’s early arrival to spring training has allowed him to visit his brother, a member of the University of Miami’s baseball team.