The Houston Astros are aiming to reach the postseason for the eighth consecutive year and the ninth time in the last decade.

They have recovered from a 7-19 start and are now 3 1/2 games ahead of the struggling Seattle Mariners in the American League West.

Now the Astros are putting the finishing touches on their roster for the final stretch of the 2024 season. According to Brian McTaggart, Houston has added a key hitter to its roster.

“The Astros are close to signing free agent outfielder Jason Heyward, who was recently released by the Dodgers, a source told MLB.com on Tuesday,” McTaggart wrote.

Heyward struggled in Los Angeles this season. The 35-year-old had a poor batting average of .208/.289/.393 with just six home runs and 28 RBI. He had played in 63 games with the Dodgers in 2024.

The Astros needed another hitter before the waiver deadline next Saturday and brought in a key veteran from Los Angeles.

Heyward began his career with the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and remained with the team until 2014, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.

After a year in St. Louis, Heyward joined the Chicago Cubs and helped them win a World Series title in 2016. Los Angeles signed him before last season and decided to keep him through 2024.

Now Heyward will make a fresh start. For the first time in his career, the veteran hitter will play in the American League. He brings power, speed and solid defense to the Astros, who are trying to maintain their second-half surge.

Los Angeles released him late last week to give Chris Taylor and Kevin Kiermaier more playing time, and it will be interesting to see what role he plays in Houston down the road.

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