Heyward (back) continues to deal with soreness and will be required to complete a rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Skipper Dave Roberts failed to indicate when Heyward might get the green light to head out on a rehab stint, as the club will likely wait until he's feeling closer to 100 percent before allowing him to move to the next step. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez should continue to see an uptick in opportunities while Heyward returns to health.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that he's optimistic Heyward (back) will be ready to return from the IL when first eligible April 13, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward landed on the injured list earlier this week with lower-back tightness, an issue which the outfielder said was cropping up on days he was coming off the bench. It's not clear whether Heyward might be asked to go out on a short rehab assignment before being activated.

The Dodgers placed Heyward on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with lower-back tightness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward's back has caused him to miss the Dodgers' last two games, and it will keep him out for at least another 10 days as he moves to the IL. Imaging on his back didn't reveal any significant damage, so an extended absence isn't expected at this time for the 34-year-old outfielder. The Dodgers claimed Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Mariners on Tuesday and added him to the active roster to serve as Heyward's replacement.

Heyward (back) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward will be sitting for the third straight game after sitting due to a lefty starting Sunday and back tightness Monday. Imaging on the outfielder's back came back negative, but the Dodgers claimed outfielder Taylor Trammell Tuesday in case Heyward requires a trip to the IL, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. With the right fielder remaining out, Teoscar Hernandez will start in right field and Enrique Hernandez will draw the start in left field.

Heyward (back) is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward sat out of Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to left-hander Steven Matz starting, and Heyward will sit out for a second straight game after his back tightened up. Teoscar Hernandez will draw the start in right field and bat sixth Monday against Giants right-hander Keaton Winn.

Heyward is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward will unsurprisingly be on the bench for Sunday's series finale since lefty Steven Matz is on the mound for St. Louis. Chris Taylor will start in left field, pushing Teoscar Hernandez to right.

Heyward isn't in the Dodgers' lineup Friday against St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty-hitting Heyward will begin Friday's contest on the bench with Zack Thompson on the hill for the Cardinals. Heyward's absence will cause Teoscar Hernandez to slide over to right field as Chris Taylor fills the void in left.

Heyward (back) will start in right field and bat eighth Thursday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Back tightness prevented Heyward from playing in the Dodgers' final spring training game Tuesday, but the issue appears to have subsided ahead of Thursday's contest. Heyward slashed .250/.276/.429 across 29 spring plate appearances and is already 2-for-6 with two RBI in the regular season after Los Angeles' series against the Padres in South Korea.

Heyward was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Angels due to lower-back tightness.

EDGE Analysis

With two days remaining before Opening Day, it's unclear what impact Heyward's back will have on his availability for Thursday, but the Dodgers should provide more details in the near future. Teoscar Hernandez will shift from left to right field in Heyward's absence, and Chris Taylor will fill the void in left.

Heyward agreed Monday with the Dodgers on a one-year, $9 million contract, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heyward and the Dodgers will run it back after he was surprisingly productive in 2023, slashing .269/.340/.473 with 15 home runs and 40 RBI over 377 plate appearances. His .813 OPS this past season was his highest mark since 2012, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. The 34-year-old should fill a similar role again in 2024, starting in right field against righties while occasionally filling in as a center fielder. The Dodgers' decision to bring back Heyward also means that Mookie Betts will continue to see more action at second base.