The Atlanta Braves have activated outfielder Jason Heyward from the disabled list.
Heyward, 24, has not played a game since taking a fastball to the jaw on Aug. 21 from New York Mets pitcher Jon Niese.
The timetable for Heyward’s return always seemed to suggest he would be back with roughly two weeks remaining in the season but reports from various media members suggested he was a playoff activation at best.
Heyward recently took batting practice for the Braves and was to do the same this weekend in Chicago, where the Braves are at Wrigley Field to play the Cubs.
WATCH: Heyward takes pitch to jaw
Instead the Braves have went ahead and activated Heyward and placed him as the starting center fielder for Friday afternoons game.
In 95 game this season Heyward has a .253/.347/.423 line with 13 home runs and 37 RBI. He missed time earlier this season with an appendectomy.
