Chicago Cubs' Jason Heyward may return Thursday

PITTSBURGH -- Jason Heyward might be in back in the lineup Thursday night when the Chicago Cubs host the Washington Nationals in the opener of a four-game home series between the top two teams in the National League.

The right fielder sat out the Cubs' three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates that concluded with a 6-2 victory Wednesday afternoon because of a wrist injury. Heyward had started each of the first 23 games after signing an eight-year, $184 millon contract as a free agent last December.

The Cubs top the NL Central with a 20-6 record, which is also the best in the major leagues. The NL East-leading Nationals are 19-8.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he did not feel the need to rush Heyward back into the lineup.

"He's looking good, but let's not push it right now and make sure he's feeling pretty good about himself," Maddon said.

Heyward said he hurt the wrist while swinging a weighted bat during the first weekend of the season when the Cubs played the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. He was able to play through the pain until Sunday when it began hurting during a loss to the Atlanta Braves at Chicago.

While Heyward prides himself on being durable, he felt it was time to say something to the training staff.

"Just make sure we get it calmed down and going in the right direction," Heyward said.

Heyward is hitting just .211 with no home runs after batting .293 with 13 homers last season in 154 games with the St. Louis Cardinals.