Jason Heyward Faces Pressure as Padres Struggle at the Plate

TORONTO — Jason Heyward is well aware of the questions surrounding his performance as the San Diego Padres struggle offensively. With his 36th birthday approaching, he knows that players often face scrutiny at this stage in their careers.

“It’s fair,” Heyward said during a recent interview. “Spectators, fans, critics, they’ve got their perspective. It’s fair for everyone to have their opinion, and that’s fine.” Heyward entered Wednesday’s game with a .185 batting average, having seen a recent uptick in performance with singles in his last two starts.

However, he had also experienced a rough patch, hitting just .103 over an 11-game stretch. “I feel like I’ve had similar starts in the past,” he commented, noting the challenges of being evaluated at this point in the season.

Teammates and coaches describe Heyward’s positivity as infectious. He has been to the postseason ten times and believes that being around success is a boost for him. The Padres, currently not known for pursuing a left fielder, may be compelled to search for options if Heyward’s offensive struggles persist.

“Just keep going, do your best and treat it like it is your last,” Heyward said. “That mentality can be both a gift and a curse, but you need to stay present and make the most of it.”

The Padres’ starting pitcher Yu Darvish is facing a setback in his return from elbow inflammation sustained in spring training. Reports indicate he is not experiencing pain, yet the timeline for his return remains uncertain. Darvish previously completed a rehab start last week but has expressed that he does not feel right as he works toward resuming competitive play.

Joe Musgrove, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is also progressing slowly. He recently started playing catch, but is cautious not to push his arm too hard while healing. Musgrove, who aims to contribute to the team’s playoff efforts later this season, emphasizes the importance of being patient in the recovery process. “A lot of it is just trial and error,” he said.

As the Padres’ batting struggles continue, they are currently hitting just .212 over the last four games, scoring only three runs. Before Wednesday’s game, discussions around their offensive capabilities highlighted the need for improved slugging to create run production and compete effectively.

Head coach Shildt acknowledged the team’s offensive issues, stating that while slugging is a crucial element, they focus on overall offensive contributions. “We want to have complete hitters, complete offense,” he said. “The last piece is slug, but we believe we can improve and produce,” he explained.

Despite facing formidable pitching from opponents, the Padres recognize the critical need for their core players, including Machado and Tatis, to step up as they chase wins. “You just gotta tip your cap,” Machado said. “But we need to be better than this.”

As the team moves forward, they will need to find a rhythm at the plate to bolster their chances of success throughout the season.