Emergency Appendectomy Forces Jason Heyward to DL

Jason Heyward landed on the DL this morning thanks to an emergency appendectomy. (Image Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports)

Jason Heyward has been placed on the DL by the Atlanta Braves following an emergency appendectomy late Monday evening. The right fielder will likely miss at least the next two weeks while he recovers from surgery. Tyler Pastornicky has been called up from Triple-A to take his place on the active roster.

Heyward had apparently been coping with what the team believed was just a simple stomach virus over the weekend in Pittsburgh. Upon arriving in Denver for a series against the Colorado Rockies, Heyward’s condition worsened and the team had him checked out by a local doctor. Surgery was recommended and Heyward underwent the procedure right away. Heyward is reportedly resting comfortably, though he’s “a bit beat up” from the procedure according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

With a .121/.261/.259 line through 69 PA, to say that Heyward has struggled at the plate thus far on the year would be an understatement. He’s managed just four extra base hits (two doubles, two homers).

Reed Johnson and Jordan Schafer are expected to see most of the playing time in right field over the next two weeks. Justin Upton, who’s spent most of his career in right and is off to one of the best starts in all of baseball, will likely remain in left field from what O’Brien has been told by team management. The team doesn’t want to alter his routine given how well he’s been swinging the bat thus far.