Astros demote Chas McCormick to Triple-A, clearing space for veteran Jason Heyward in outfield reshuffling

McCormick failed to build on a 2023 breakout this season

By R.J. Anderson Aug 29, 2024 at 4:33 pm ET• 1 min read

The Houston Astros added veteran outfielder Jason Heyward to their active roster on Thursday and, in a corresponding move, demoted fellow outfielder Chas McCormick to Triple-A.

McCormick, 29, has to date failed to build upon what looked like a breakout season in 2023. Over the course of 87 games this season, he hit .192/.256/.292 (56 OPS+) with five home runs and eight stolen bases. Those marks are well beneath those he posted last year, including a 130 OPS+, 22 home runs, and 19 stolen bases.

The Astros can only hope that some time on the farm, and away from the big-league spotlight, will help McCormick regain his past form. 

Heyward, 35, was recently released by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit .208/.289/.393 (91 OPS+) with six home runs and four stolen bases over 63 games. It's worth noting that Heyward will be postseason eligible if he is, in fact, being added to the roster Thursday, meaning he joined the Houston organization ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline. He's the latest in a string of players the Astros have tested out to replace injured star Kyle Tucker. As our Dayn Perry noted a few days ago: