Injury Update: Jason Heyward

Jul 11, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward (22) is injured on a slide into third in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Heyward left the Braves’ contest with the Cincinnati Reds early Thursday night because of a hamstring issue after running from first to third on a single by Justin Upton.

On his way to third base, Heyward looked back so see if Joey Votto was going to throw at him but when he saw Votto was, Heyward slid awkward into third.   Then, he appeared to be grasping his right hamstring while laying on the ground.

From the picture above, you can see the pain already on Heyward’s face (or maybe that is how he slides, I’d have to look into that more).  So he could of strained the hamstring running instead of on the slide.

Heyward walked off the field on his own power but was taken out of the game and replaced by Reed Johnson.

Fredi Gonzalez said after the game about Heyward being about to walk off the field “That’s always a good sign but with those things, you just never know how they are going to get overnight.  So we will evaluate him when he comes in and see what we have then.”

Heyward got off to a slow start in the 2013 season.  After hitting .121/.261/.259 in April, he’s brought his season numbers up to .225/.323/.369  with 7 homers and 21 RBIs following a hot June and early July.  He seems like his swing is back to form so any extended period of time being out wouldn’t be good.

Good news from David O’Brien on twitter late Thursday night…

"Heyward said didn’t feel a grab or pull just soreness. thinks he avoided sthing serious, won’t require DL but see how he feels tomorrow"

“We’ll reevaluate in the morning and hopefully it doesn’t manifest into something worse than it is right now” Gonzalez said.

Even with a slightest hamstring strain, the Braves will probably keep him out of the lineup for a couple days.  Meaning we may not see in back on the field until after the All-Star break.