Wed Apr 16 04:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Padres Turn to Veteran Heyward in Center Field as Injuries Mount
**SAN DIEGO –** The San Diego Padres are facing a center field shortage due to injuries, prompting the unexpected deployment of 35-year-old veteran Jason Heyward. Heyward, a five-time Gold Glove winner, will start Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, filling the void left by injured players Jackson Merrill (hamstring) and Brandon Lockridge (hamstring).
While Merrill is only beginning light baseball activities, Lockridge is showing improvement and hopes to return within 11 days. Heyward, despite limited center field time this season, brings extensive major league experience to the position. Manager Mike Shildt expressed confidence in Heyward’s abilities, highlighting his past performance and Gold Glove pedigree.
Heyward’s bat is also showing signs of life, having recently hit his first home run as a Padre and improving his batting average considerably in recent games. He’ll bat eighth in Tuesday’s lineup. The game will also see Oscar Gonzalez starting in left field and Yuli Gurriel as DH, due to the Cubs’ left-handed pitcher, Shota Imanaga.
Meanwhile, Padres pitcher Randy Vásquez will take the mound. While his early season numbers show promise against left-handed batters, his high walk rate remains a concern, as shown in his previous encounter against the Cubs. On the Cubs side, pitcher Bryan Hoeing is progressing well in his recovery from a shoulder strain and anticipates a minor league rehab assignment soon. Cubs veteran Justin Turner, a former Dodger, is embracing the boos from Padres fans, taking it as a sign of his past success against the team.
The game promises a significant showdown, featuring the Cubs’ Imanaga, who already has a win against the Padres this season, and the Padres’ struggling but still capable Vásquez.
First Piper 