The Marlins drafted Heaney in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Marlins in 2014. Heaney pitched for the Angels from 2015 through 2021, and played for the Yankees in 2021 and Dodgers in 2022.
Heaney made his Major League debut on June 19, 2014, against the New York Mets. In his debut, Heaney went six innings and allowed one run while striking out three batters. He took the loss in a 1–0 game.[10]
After some injuries to the starting rotation, Heaney was called up and made 18 starts for the Angels. He went 6–4 in 105 innings while displaying an excellent strikeout to walk ratio of 2.79 for Anaheim.[14]
In 2016, Heaney made the Angels opening day rotation as their #2 starter. In what turned out to be his only start, after allowing 4 runs in 6 innings, Heaney left the game. After the game, Heaney felt discomfort in his elbow, he was immediately placed on the disabled list. On April 30, Heaney received a platelet rich plasma injection in his left elbow, sidelining him for 6 weeks.[15] On June 28, Heaney underwent evaluations on his elbow and found no improvement, pushing back his return even further.[16] On July 1, Heaney underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the remainder of the 2016 season.[17] Heaney would finish his 2016 season with an ERA of 6.00 in six innings.[18] In 2017, in 21.2 innings he was 1–2 with a 7.06 ERA.[14]
On June 5, 2018, the day of his 27th birthday, Heaney pitched a one-hit complete game shutout as the Angels won 1–0 over the Kansas City Royals.[19] Heaney was the only Angels starter to start 30 games in 2018. He finished the 2018 season 9–10 with an ERA of 4.15 and 180 strikeouts in 180 innings.[14]
Heaney entered 2019 as the projected #1 starter but suffered an elbow inflammation and was shut down after his first spring start. He was shut down again on March 28 after experiencing a setback during a side session.[20]
On July 6, 2019, Heaney became the first pitcher to start after the passing of fellow left-hander Tyler Skaggs. His first pitch against George Springer of Houston Astros was mimicking an overhand and slow curveball, which was Skaggs' best pitch, and was unchallenged with no swing.[21] In 18 starts, Heaney was 4–6 with a 4.91 ERA.[14]
Heaney was named the Angels' opening day starter for the 2020 season.[22] In the 3–7 no-decision loss to the Oakland Athletics, Heaney pitched 4+2⁄3 innings, striking out 6 batters and allowing 1 run. He finished the shortened season with a record of 4–3 in 12 starts. He struck out 70 batters in 66+2⁄3 innings.[14]
On November 10, 2021, Heaney signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[26] He made 14 starts and two relief appearances for the Dodgers in 2022, with a 4–4 record and 3.10 ERA while striking out 110 batters.[14]
He also had a couple of lengthy stints on the injured list.[27]
Texas Rangers (2023–present)
On December 9, 2022, Heaney signed a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers.[28]
On April 10, 2023, Heaney recorded 9 consecutive strikeouts in a game against the Kansas City Royals, which tied the American League record and set the franchise record.[29] He ultimately won the 2023 World Series with the Rangers.
Pitching style
Heaney is an overhand pitcher with a long stride. He throws three pitches: a four-seam fastball that averages 92 miles per hour (148 km/h) and can touch 95 miles per hour (153 km/h), a curveball at 80 miles per hour (130 km/h), and a changeup at 84 miles per hour (135 km/h).[30] In 2022 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Heaney added a "sweeping" style slider to his repertoire.
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