NEW YORK — Eleven days and six games since straining his right hamstring, Jason Heyward returned to the Braves lineup Monday, in his temporary role as one of the largest center fielders you'll ever see.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez plans to use Heyward in center field in most games until B.J. Upton returns from the 15-day disabled list. Upton, recovering from a strained left adductor muscle in the groin area, is eligible to return this weekend but probably won’t be ready for another week or so.
Monday was Heyward’s third start of the season in center field, and the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder told Gonzalez he’s got no problem shifting from his usual right field until Upton returns.
Gonzalez is playing Heyward in center in order to keep Evan Gattis’ bat in the lineup in left field. Justin Upton moved from left to right field.
If Heyward gets worn out playing center, Gonzalez said he’ll rest him and play Reed Johnson or Jose Constanza.
“I run a lot during the game anyway; I’m always moving,” Heyward said. “Just a little more ground to cover each way. But it’s all about positioning and knowing the hitters and how we’re going to pitch them, things like that.”
Upton ran some in the grass at Citi Field on Monday, the first running he's done since he strained the muscle July 12 when his knee stuck in the ground at Turner Field as he attempted to make a diving catch. Once he's cleared for all baseball activities, Upton will likely need a few days of workouts followed by a minor league rehab assignment.
It took Heyward a little longer than expected to return to the lineup after the hamstring injury, but he said he was glad he didn’t rush his return. He said was confident the leg was healed sufficiently, but that he’d try to make sure not to overdo it right away.
“Got to be smart about it, because it’s so close to it happening, the first game back,” he said. “Got to be smart about it, know when to push and not to push. But defensive-wise, I’m not concerned at all. Baserunning-wise, it’s going to be where I’m going to have to be smart. But I have it in me to go push when I need to, to go score on ball or something like that. Because I did enough testing to where I’m confident.”
