Report: Lackey will pitch in ’ 18

Looks like Jon Lester is going to have to do the whole John Lackey tribute thing all over again.

Lackey, who appeared to be riding off into the sunset after the Cubs were eliminated from the playoffs three weeks ago, has wheeled his horse around and decided to pitch again in 2018, according to a report Tuesday by Jon Heyman of Fanragsports.com.

So much for Lester’s emotional clubhouse tribute the night the Cubs clinched the National League Central in St. Louis.

Lackey, who turned 39 last month, publicly remained undecided and mum on the subject as the Cubs played into two rounds of the postseason and scattered for the winter. He doesn’t appear to be a fit for the Cubs in 2018, even for one season.

Lackey went 23- 20 with a 3.94 ERA in 59 starts and a relief appearance for the Cubs the last two seasons.

Heyward strikes Gold again

Right fielder Jason Heyward became the first Cubs player to win consecutive Gold Gloves since right- hander Greg Maddux won three in a row ( 2004- 06) and only the second Cubs outfielder with multiple awards, joining Andre Dawson ( 1987- 88).

Heyward, who just completed the second year of an eight- year deal, has won four consecutive Gold Gloves and five overall.

He was one of three Cubs finalists for NL Gold Gloves. First baseman Anthony Rizzo lost out to the Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt, and second baseman Ben Zobrist was beaten out by former Cub DJ LeMahieu of the Rockies.