Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer announced on Monday the organization will release veteran outfielder Jason Heyward from the final year of his deal at the end of the 2022 season. ,” Hoyer said, via CHGO Sports: “I’ve talked to Jason about this, and he’s been such a great pro with us and a leader, and we want to have him around the team this year. But we’re not going to have him with the team next year. We’ve already talked to him about that. We want to give him the full offseason to be able to go out and find an opportunity.”

Heyward has been on the injured list since June 27 with a knee injury. Hoyer told reporters (per The Athletic) that while the outfielder will not suit up again this season, he will remain with the team as an inactive player due to his status as a leader in the clubhouse. The 32-year-old is owed $22 million in 2023, the final season of a massive eight-year, $184 million contract he signed in December ’15.

Heyward spent the 2015 season with the Cardinals after spending his first five years with the Braves. He earned his only career All-Star nod as a rookie in ’10. Over his seven seasons with the Cubs, Heyward logged a .245/.323/.377 batting line with 62 homers in 2,522 plate appearances. In addition to earning his first and only World Series ring, Heyward also earned his fourth and fifth career Golden Glove Awards with the team in 2016 and ’17, making him MLB’s first position player to win the award three straight times with three different teams.

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