Dodgers News: Puig Concedes He’ll Likely Have To Play With Pain
Puig, who finished the game 1-for-4 with two RBIs, made his way back to the dugout with a noticeable limp after flying out to right. The Dodgers reported a left hip muscle strain for Puig and have yet to offer any further information.
Following the loss, Puig said he continues to play through any pain or discomfort for his teammates, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:
I continue to play like this because I have to support my teammates,” Puig said in Spanish.
As for the possibility the injury may worsen, Puig isn’t giving it much thought:
I’m not thinking about that,” he said. “I’m just thinking of getting treatment and giving the best of myself on the field. I try to play all nine innings. Today, I couldn’t. If I’m given the opportunity to play tomorrow, I’ll try to complete all nine innings.”
Puig was injured while sliding into second base June 7 and he left that game with a hip flexor injury in the fifth inning.
The Dodger right fielder also missed time in May after he crashed into the fence in Miami as he attempted to prevent a walk-off hit for the Marlins.
Aside from the bumps and bruises he’s collected along the way, Puig’s sophomore season has been nothing short of impressive. He’s vastly improved his discipline at the plate and in hitting cutoff men, which has led to manager Don Mattingly referring to Puig as the best right fielder in baseball.
If Puig is to miss time, it will leave the Dodgers with just three healthy outfielders as Carl Crawford suffered a recent setback in his recovery from a sprained ankle.
As was the case last season, the surplus of outfielders is now proving to be a necessity rather than a burden, though the situation may change with rumors the Dodgers have placed all the outfielders on the trade market, with the exception of Puig.
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The problem is that it appears to be hurting his hitting, right now he’s just killing a bunch of worms, I can’t remember how many games it’s been since he had a line drive, there’s no elevation, it’s time for a rest.