Heyward will not return to AFL

After meeting with Braves doctors in Atlanta on Tuesday, Jason Heyward learned that he won’t be able to resume playing in this year’s Arizona Fall League.

Heyward played just four games in the AFL before being shut down on Oct. 17 because of discomfort in the region where his hamstring meets his gluteal muscles.

According to an industry source, the Braves doctors have projected that Heyward should return to health after a few weeks of rest and rehab.  With the AFL’s regular season concluding on Nov. 17, there wasn’t any reason for the 20-year-old outfielder to rush back to action. 

Because the Braves are still thinking about having Heyward begin the 2010 season as one of their starting outfielders, there’s a chance that he could be sent to Winter League to further his development heading into Spring Training. 

When asked about this possibility on Monday night, Braves general manager Frank Wren said that he first wanted to get the diagnosis from the club’s doctors.