Dodgers: Puig Exits Freeway Series Finale Early With injury

Isaac Castro07/09/2018

0 1 minute read

Just one at-bat removed from belting a 420 ft, 3-run home run off of lefty Andrew Heaney – his second in two games – Yasiel Puig walked off the field in visible pain, clutching at his side. The injury looked to be the result of a hard swing in the top of the 5th inning, after which Puig grimaced and was quickly met by Dave Roberts and the Dodgers medical staff. He was unable to finish the at-bat, leaving Joc Pederson with a 1-2 count in which he would eventually strike out.

Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig appeared to injure his right side while fouling off a pitch and has come out of the game. He actually appeared to hurt himself on the previous pitch, then swung violently on the following one.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) July 9, 2018

It has since been reported that Puig was removed with a “right intercostal/oblique strain.” The severity of the strain is still in question.

Puig: Right intercostal/oblique strain.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 9, 2018

The severity will be crucial in assessing Puig’s time on the DL but for reference, an MLB study ultimately revealed that hitters typically take 27 days to recover from a Grade 1 strain. Last season Chris Davis was out nearly a month with a Grade 1 (mild strain) while Miguel Cabrera missed just 3 games with the same level strain.

Analysis:

It’s an unfortunate turn of events for Puig, who just finished off the month of June hitting over .300 and was carrying that momentum into July. We’ll hear more on the severity of the strain soon, and that will ultimately determine how the team proceeds with his rehabilitation. If there is a bright spot, it’s that the All-Star break is quickly approaching and could give Puig time to recover without missing significant field-time.

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