UPDATE (Nov. 27, 4:25 p.m. PT): According to TMZ, the altercation between Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig got into an altercation with staff at Blue Martini after they attempted to get involved in a heated discussion between Puig and his sister:
Bar staffers immediately rushed over to break it up, but Puig turned on them … getting physical with several staffers. The crew was eventually able to get Puig outside where they say he brutally sucker punched the manager, setting off a brawl.
Additionally, charges will not be pressed by either side:
Cops say they believe the incident was “mutual combat” and both sides have told them charges will not be pressed.
Coming off a disappointing season in which hamstring injuries limited Yasiel Puig to a career-low 79 games, Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman called the right fielder a “wild card” for the 2016 season.
Friedman added he wants Puig to focus this offseason on shedding weight, which the Dodgers executive believes will be of benefit as it pertains to avoiding hamstring trouble.
The 24-year-old Puig was recently at the center of headlines when Andy Van Slyke, father of Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke, implied Clayton Kershaw suggested to the front office that Puig be traded.
Puig has been linked to trade rumors on multiple occasions over the last two years, and Dodgers ownership is said to be more open to moving him now than in previous instances.
Adding to an offseason filled with speculation, Puig reportedly was involved in an altercation with security that resulted with him being struck on the face, according to ESPN’s Renato Bermudez:
#MLB @YasielPuig formó una pelea con los seguridad del Club "Blue Martini" en Miami. El cubano salió con un golpe en el rostro
— Renato Bermudez/ESPN (@RenatoBermudez) November 26, 2015
The Dodgers and Major League Baseball have not commented on the report. Puig hit .255/.322/.436 with 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, a .328 wOBA and 111 wRC+ last season, all of which are career-worst marks.
He’ll turn 25 years old on Dec. 7 and is under team control through the next four seasons. Some believe Puig will be made available for trade this winter in exchange for a young starting pitcher.
