Editorials

Yasiel Puig To Play In Minor-League Games Before Return From DL

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers ended April down two Opening Day starters and lost a starting pitcher from the rotation.

Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford are on the disabled list, while Brandon McCarthy was lost for the season with a torn UCL. The Dodgers have been able to manage, sitting at 14-8 and in first place in the NL West. Andre Ethier has provided the team with a glimpse of the past with his play, while Scott Van Slyke remains the steady, producing role player that he is. Alex Guerrero has even spent some time in the outfield due to his hot bat.



While Crawford is expected to be out at least a month, Puig is expected to be ready to come off the DL when he is eligible on May 11, and will take the necessary steps in order to be in shape once he returns. Manager Don Mattingly said that Puig will not travel with the team to Milwaukee, and will likely join the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes for a few minor-league rehab assignment games. The Quakes start a four-game series on Monday at home before traveling to High Desert for a weekend series.

Mattingly wasn’t clear how many games that Puig would play with the Quakes; however, he could join them for their home series and return to the Dodgers in Colorado before being activated when they return home. On the season, the Cuban outfielder is hitting .279 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs in 11 games.

Once Puig returns, it’s likely that Ethier and Van Slyke could share duties in left field until Crawford is healthy.

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Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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