Jason Heyward injury: Braves RF has emergency appendectomy in Denver

UPDATE: The Braves have placed Jason Heyward on the 15-day DL and recalled utility infielder Tyler Pastornicky from Triple-A to take his roster spot, the team has announced.

Heyward's DL stint is retroactive to Sunday, so the earliest that he will be able to return to Atlanta is May 5. With two extra outfielders already on the active roster -- Reed Johnson and Jordan Schafer -- the Braves didn't really need another, so Pastornicky will probably serve as a bench bat and infield insurance for the next two weeks.

ORIGINAL: Jason Heyward had surgery for an emergency appendectomy in Denver tonight, according to Bill Shanks of Fox Sports 1670. Shanks reports that Heyward was feeling ill Sunday evening and he was taken to the hospital sometime Monday. The Braves have confirmed the report:

OF Jason Heyward underwent successful appendectomy surgery Monday night (April 22). Procedure performed at Rose Medical Center in Denver.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 23, 2013

There's no reported time table for Heyward's return, yet, but players that have the surgery generally miss between 2 and 6 weeks. Matt Holliday had the procedure in August 2011, but returned after just 9 days.

Heyward, 23, is seventeen games into his 4th season and was hitting .121/.261/.259 on the season with 7 hits, 2 home runs, and 8 walks. While it is quite early in the season, he's hitting far below his career line of .256/.349/.440.

The Braves were expected to begin negotiations on a possible extension for Heyward back in February. The surgery should have no impact on a long term deal.

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