Padres must find a way to ditch declining veteran as soon as possible

Two months into the 2025 season, it has been clear the San Diego Padres have a hole at left field. The team hoped veteran Jason Heyward could hold down the position, with rookie Brandon Lockridge in a platoon role. Neither have been great, but Heyward in particular has been struggling badly.

Heyward is currently on the injured list for the second time this season. Before landing on the injured list, the 35-year-old posted a career low .176 AVG, .223 OBP and .271 SLG, for a career-worst OPS+ of 39.

If it has felt like Heyward has done more harm to the Padres than good, that's because it's true. In 34 games, he has been worth -0.6 bWAR, clearly below replacement level.

Owed just $1 million this season, it's hard to see a reason why the Padres need to keep him on the roster. When he does get healthy from his left oblique strain, the team should give him a full 30 days of rehab in Triple-A. If he does not get his bat going there, the only wise option would be to release him.

To his credit, Heyward's bat came alive in late 2024 with the Houston Astros. After he put up a 92 OPS+ with the Dodgers, he improved to a 111 OPS+ through 24 games in Houston. Not a huge sample size, but enough to show he was capable of making adjustments and finding his footing.

Is he likely to repeat that late season success? Perhaps, but the Padres do not have the luxury of waiting for much longer. San Diego continues to hover a game behind the Dodgers in the NL West, and giving at-bats to slumping veterans adds nothing to help the team.

If Heyward struggles during rehab, the easy way out would be to release him. It will not hurt the Padres pocketbooks more than it is hurting the product on the field. The outfielder has enjoyed a nice MLB career, with a world series title and over 40 bWAR to his name. But it looks like father time has come calling for Heyward.