Former Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward is trading his cleats for a clipboard. The team announced that Heyward, who officially retired from playing, will be joining the front office as a special assistant.
While the exact responsibilities are still taking shape, the role will involve traveling to various minor-league affiliates to evaluate talent and assess organizational infrastructure from the ground up. It's a natural next step for a player known as much for his clubhouse presence as his on-field performance.
"I'm excited for Jason to be back in the organization," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Wednesday's game. "He's got the clubhouse part of it covered, so part of it is working with the front office guys and getting to see the other side of things and how it operates. He's going to be very helpful for his growth and also for the organization."
Heyward's journey to this new chapter has been a long one. The longtime MLB veteran began his career with the Atlanta Braves, then made stops with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs before landing in Los Angeles at age 33 in 2023. He quickly became a clubhouse favorite, earning respect for his leadership and steadying presence.
On the field, Heyward still had plenty to offer in that first Dodgers season. His glove remained reliable with solid range, and he enjoyed a resurgent year at the plate, slashing .269/.340/.473 with 15 home runs and a 122 OPS+ over 124 games. That performance earned him a second one-year deal, but the follow-up season proved more difficult. He hit just .208/.289/.393 in 63 games before being released. His defense still kept him valuable—posting 0.8 bWAR—but the bat couldn't keep him on the roster.
After his release, Heyward signed with the Houston Astros but continued to struggle offensively, a pattern that repeated during his 2025 stint with the San Diego Padres. Throughout it all, "J-Hey" remained a key dugout presence, with teammates and coaches consistently praising his character and baseball IQ.
Now, he'll bring that same leadership and insight to the front office—helping shape the next generation of Dodgers talent from a whole new vantage point.