Coming off a turbulent offseason that included being investigated by Major League Baseball under the overhauled domestic violence policy, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has had a relatively quiet Spring Training.
Puig missed the first workout due to lingering effects of having his wisdom teeth removed, but has since worked with Dodgers legend Maury Wills on baserunning and been among the players who arrive in the early-morning hours at Camelback Ranch.
Puig reported to camp noticeably thinner, having lost weight at the request of Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. The hope, Friedman explained, is a lighter frame will translate to Puig avoiding recurring hamstring injuries.
The 25-year-old outfielder was in Wednesday’s lineup for his eighth Cactus League game of the year. Puig turned in multiple highlights in the Dodgers’ win, first ending his home run drought in the fourth inning with a solo shot, then making a diving catch to save a run in the fifth:
Last season, Puig batted .255/.322/.436 with 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, .328 wOBA, 111 wRC+, 66 strikeouts and 22 walks in 311 plate appearances over a career-low 79 games. He joked his home run on Wednesday was in response to Alex Guerrero ribbing him over multiple groundouts to shortstop.
