The Atlanta Braves, who have led the National League East since Opening Day, are close to getting a key bat back in their lineup as they prepare for the postseason.
Heyward was struck in the face by a Jon Niese pitch three weeks ago, breaking his jaw and keeping him from all baseball activity. On Monday he had restrictive bands and braces taken off and was photographed catching fly balls in the outfield as he tries to work his way back into form.
The Braves have been able to coast all year, but come October, they will need all their most potent bats at the ready. Braves general manager Frank Wren spoke about Heyward's progress saying, "I think we were cautiously optimistic he would get back to baseball activity sometime in September. It's progressing as we had hoped. I know it is progressing as he had hoped. I think everybody has the goal for him to get back for October. We'll just continue to see how he progresses."
Wren was more facetious with reporters from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, telling them "He's literally and figuratively chomping at the bit."
Wren said that when Heyward does return, barring setbacks, he will play with a protective mouthguard.
After a breakout 2012 season, Heyward had been a disappointment in 2013. Before his injury, Heyward had batted .253 with 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 95 games. He only had two stolen bases as well and had been caught stealing four times. In 2012, he swatted 27 home runs and stole 21 bases, so the dips in both power and speed were alarming.
He seemed to have found his groove in August though; in 16 August tilts Heyward smacked four home runs and drove in 10 runs while posting a 1.040 OPS. If he can pick up where he left off, the Braves will be even more lethal heading into the playoffs.
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