The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Scott Van Slyke from the 15-day disabled list prior to Friday’s series opener with the Atlanta Braves. Yasiel Puig was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring in a corresponding move to clear room on the active roster for Van Slyke.
After getting scratched from Tuesday’s game, Puig wasn’t in the lineup a fourth consecutive game on Friday night. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said prior to first pitch he still wasn’t certain if Puig’s sore left hamstring would force him to the disabled list.
Roberts said on Thursday he didn’t believe Puig was destined for the DL. Puig pinch hit over the final two games with the Chicago Cubs, going 0-for-2 with one strikeout.
Those appearances prevent the Dodgers from backdating his DL stint to Tuesday. Puig is batting .237/.283/.360 with four doubles, two triples, five home runs and 20 RBIs in 53 games.
Hamstring injuries limited him to a career-low 79 games last season.
Van Slyke’s return was projected to take place during the current homestand, with the specific date the only uncertainty. He spent one game with High-A Rancho Cucamonga and seven with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Completing his rehab assignment on Wednesday, Van Slyke batted .226/.294/.355 (7-for-31) with one double, one home run, five RBIs, three walks and six strikeouts over the eight games.
He logged time as a designated hitter, at first base and in left and right field over the eight games. Van Slyke went 1-for-9 with a double and two RBIs in four games before lower back irritation forced him to the disabled list.
