Former Dodgers Outfielder Tests Positive for COVID, Not Signing with Atlanta
It looks like the strange MLB offseason will continue for former Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig. After it was announced that Puig would be signing with the Atlanta Braves this week, it appears that will no longer be the case.
Puig revealed on his social media that he had tested positive for COVID-19 as part of the physical process to sign with the Braves.
— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) July 17, 2020
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal followed up by reporting that Atlanta had planned on following through should he have tested negative.
Yasiel Puig tested positive and is still a free agent
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2020
The former Dodgers’ star could still potentially sign with the Braves, though time is running short. He would need to have two straight negative tests just to report to the team and Opening Day is less than a week away now. Rosenthal followed up with this to say about the pair up.
Puig, while not a perfect fit, at least would have given the Braves offensive presence and plus defense in either corner outfield position. In 149 games with the Reds and Indians last season, he batted .267 with 24 homers, 19 stolen bases and an adjusted on-base/slugging percentage that was exactly league average.
Puig has spent seven seasons in the major leagues between the Dodgers, Indians, and Reds. Most recently, Puig put together a league-average offensive season between the Indians and Reds in 2019.
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