After a hot start to the season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, former Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward appears to be regressing back toward the offensive player that he was during his time with the Cubs. Heyward is now slashing .192/.290/.538 on the season through his first 31 plate appearances this season but the 3 home runs to his name have been enough to place his wRC+ just over league-average with a mark of 114.
While Heyward's offense never materialized with the Cubs, his defensive excellence remained. Heyward's defense is a large part of the reason why he remained in the Cubs' lineup despite his offensive struggles but on Tuesday night with the Dodgers, the veteran had an unfortunate moment in the outfield.
Between the ball popping out of Heyward's glove, the tumble down to the grass, and then the ball rolling away from the former Gold Glove outfielder, it was a less-than-ideal look for the former Cubs' starting right fielder.
Meanwhile, for the Cubs, Cody Bellinger hasn't missed a beat with his defensive play in center field. Bellinger's offensive success to begin the 2023 season has been a surprise for the Cubs but there was never a question of the effort that he would give the team while playing center field. Bellinger's defensive brilliance was on display once again in the Cubs' victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.