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Heyward won't return to AFL

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By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

10/27/09 3:36 PM EST

ATLANTA -- Jason Heyward's days in the Arizona Fall League have come to a close.

After evaluating Heyward in Atlanta on Tuesday, Braves doctors determined that the 20-year-old outfielder's posterior leg injury will not be able to heal in time for him to resume playing before the AFL's regular season concludes on Nov. 19.

Heyward had been sidelined since Oct. 17 because of discomfort in the region where his hamstring muscle meets his gluteus muscles.

According to an industry source, the Braves doctors said that Heyward should be healthy after a few weeks of rest and rehab.

While this ailment won't likely have an adverse effect on Heyward's long-term health, it certainly could affect the Braves' planning process. There is a chance that they could utilize him as one of their starting outfielders at the beginning of the 2010 season.

Because Heyward had recorded just 173 at-bats above the Class A level, the Braves were looking forward to having him further his development while facing the advanced competition that exists in the AFL.

Unfortunately, Heyward was able to play just four games in the AFL before being sidelined with this ailment. In the process, he hit .286 (4-for-14) with three doubles.

Wren said Monday night that it's too early to speculate whether Heyward might be sent to play in a winter league.

In addition, Wren said that this setback doesn't necessarily change his plans to go into Spring Training with an open mind about the possibility of having Heyward begin the 2010 season at the Major League level.

After combining to hit .323 with 17 homers and a .923 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) with Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach, Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett this year, Heyward was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.