The Los Angeles Dodgers were already without Justin Turner because of a hamstring strain that forced him to the disabled list. So watching Yasiel Puig grimace and hunch over in pain after a check swing in the fourth inning Friday night was certainly less than ideal.
Puig’s plate appearance ended in a walk. He was checked on by a trainer before remaining in the game. However, that was short lived and so was Puig’s time on the bases. Brett Eibner followed with a two-run home run.
Puig was replaced in the lineup by Joc Pederson, which moved Eibner to right field. The Dodgers later announced Puig was removed due to low and mid-back tightness.
While the team holds the ultimate say, the 26-year-old insisted a stint on the disabled list will not be necessary, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
“I’m not going on the DL,” Puig said in English. “I need to be back on the field, to keep hitting, and go to Miami for the All-Star Game. I’m not going on the DL.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had yet to speak with Puig prior to addressing the media postgame. “It was something he said he felt somewhere in his hip or lower side,” Roberts said.
Puig revealed he first felt the back tightness during batting practice. He went 0-for-1 with one walk in the Dodgers’ win. The game prior, Puig slugged a then-team high eighth home run this season. Cody Bellinger tied that mark with a two-run homer Friday night.
Overall this year, Puig is batting .243/.321/.432 with four doubles and 24 RBI. To this point he’s managed to remain relatively healthy, avoiding hamstring injuries that derailed the past two seasons.
The Dodgers in some sense could take a wait-and-see approach, as Monday’s off day is around the corner. Though, the club is already playing with a short bench.
Puig is scheduled to host the inaugural Wild Horse Foundation poker tournament at Dodger Stadium on Monday night. He formed the charity to provide aid to aid disadvantaged children and families.
