Frustration with Yasiel Puig seemingly boiled over last month when the Los Angeles Dodgers reached the conclusion they would either trade the 25-year-old by the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline, or option him to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Although there was some reported interest in Puig, the Dodgers didn’t put a trade together, and the polarizing outfielder was demoted for the first time in his career. Aside from a lapse in judgement that led to Puig posting incriminating videos to Snapchat of himself and Oklahoma City teammates, he’s largely been a model citizen.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman met with Puig in the Minors and was encouraged by the discussion the two had. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said he’s received positive reports from Oklahoma City.
However, whenever Friedman or Roberts have been asked whether Puig factors into their plans with expanded rosters, the duo has remained noncommittal.
While the club has yet to confirm, Andy McCullough of the LA Times reports Puig will likely join the Dodgers for their weekend series against the San Diego Padres:
The Dodgers are expected to recall Yasiel Puig this weekend, according to people familiar with the situation.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) September 2, 2016
Per ESPN’s Buster Olney, Puig is expected to be with the Dodgers by Friday’s game:
The Dodgers have called up Yasiel Puig and he should be with the Dodgers in time for Friday's game.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) September 2, 2016
Los Angeles begins a six-game homestand Friday. Puig was not in the Oklahoma City lineup on Thursday. When Roberts previously named which players would join the Dodgers prior to their first game in September, Puig was not among them.
In 19 games with OKC, the 25-year-old is batting .348/.400/.594 with three doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI. Puig was placed on revocable waivers last month and reportedly claimed by a National League team that attempted to work out a trade within the allotted window.
Oklahoma City’s regular season concludes Monday, Sept. 5. They clinched the American Northern Division a second straight year and open a best-of-five first-round matchup against Nashville Sounds (Oakland Athletics affiliate) on Sept. 7.
