Dodgers DFA key clubhouse presence as roster crunch continues

A sneaky downside to all of the injuries the Dodgers have sustained this offseason (apart from the obvious) is that they had to do something to fill in those gaps for extended periods of time and, with players slowly coming back to the roster, they've been faced with some tough decisions on how to make space.

When Mookie Betts, Tommy Edman, and Max Muncy returned, Amed Rosario, Nick Ahmed, and Andy Pages got pushed to make way. Pages went back to Triple-A without a fuss, but Rosario and Ahmed had to be DFA'ed and left to the mercy of the 29 other teams. Rosario was quickly scooped up by the Reds and Ahmed is still floating around out there.

Chris Taylor is the last Dodgers position player left on the IL, and he's prepping for a return this weekend. Despite the fact that he doesn't really deserve to have a roster spot just waiting for him based on his performance this year, the $26 million they owe him in 2024 and 2025 says otherwise.

The Dodgers had to make a choice, and they chose Jason Heyward. FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray reported that the Dodgers have designated him for assignment.

Dodgers DFA Jason Heyward as Chris Taylor preps for return from IL

Heyward's last hoorah as a Dodger was a good one. On Tuesday, he hit a game-winning, three-run homer against the Mariners in the bottom of the eighth to break up a tie and avoid sending things into extras. After that game, Dave Roberts didn't want to commit to anything. It was a great moment — probably Heyward's best of the year — but it couldn't guarantee him a roster spot upon Taylor's return.

Pages and Lux were the last of the Dodgers position players with minor league options left before Muncy and Edman returned, and Lux has been far too hot over the past few months for the Dodgers to push him now. The pitching staff can't afford to lose an arm when they've already been shortstaffed all year. Kiké Hernández has gotten hotter and can play multiple positions, and Teoscar Hernández isn't going anywhere. Kevin Kiermaier could've been an option, but he's already batting better than he has all year and is still a defensive asset in center field.

So Heyward was the last, best, only option. Like Rosario, he's more likely to get picked up on waivers than not, and for his sake, we hope it's to a contender.