Since making his Major-League debut in June of 2013, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig’s talent and abilities to make difficult plays look routine has left people awestruck.
Whether it be a diving catch, throwing a runner out, or turning a single into a double, Puig’s a walking highlight reel. However, this season has been a struggle for the Cuban native as he’s been able to shake free of hamstring issues.
Limited to just 77 games and out since Aug. 27, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly recently conceded Puig was unlikely to participate in the National League Division Series. That may be no longer be the case however, as Mattingly provided a surprising update on Puig’s recovery, via J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News:
“Like three days ago he was running at 80 percent and having pain,” manager Don Mattingly said. “And then all of a sudden he’s going 100 percent and feels fine. It’s been a nice little surprise.”
Mattingly went on to discuss Puig’s progress with a sense of disbelief:
“It’s been pretty miraculous, actually, for me,” Mattingly said. “Howie (Kendrick, who missed most of September with a strained hamstring) was at 80 to 90 and it stayed at 90 for like 10 days. Yas was able to go from 80 to almost 100. That’s almost legendary.”
With Game 1 of the NLDS scheduled for Oct. 9, it still is unclear if Puig will be on the postseason roster in the first round. Mattingly was hesitant to state one way or the other, instead saying the Dodgers will continue to move forward with the outfielder’s recovery process and evaluate once the time comes.
The Dodgers conclude the regular season on Sunday against the San Diego Padres, then will have the week to prepare for their NLDS matchup with the New York Mets, which may be when a roster decision on Puig is made.
