The Los Angeles Dodgers broke camp Wednesday with much of their roster unofficially in place. By all accounts Yasiel Puig is on track to open the 2017 season as the Dodgers’ starting right fielder.
After another offseason that included a focus on shedding weight, Puig reported to camp with the goal of being an everyday player, whether in Los Angeles or with another team. He received the lion’s share of starts in right field this spring.
Puig was twice scratched from the lineup, once due to calf tightness, and more recently because he spent time after a morning workout going through additional hitting with hitting coach Turner Ward.
Puig appeared in three straight games following the second scratch. Entering Thursday, he’s missed two consecutive Major League contests.
According to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times, Roberts recently sent Puig to a Minor League game to work on his mechanics, something the second-year manager said must improve:
Yasiel Puig took part in a minor league game designed to give him an opportunity to work out the kinks in the mechanics of his swing. “It’s got to be better,” Roberts said. “And he understands that.”
Through Wednesday, the outfielder had put together a shaky Spring Training. Puig went 11-for-47 with three doubles, three home runs and seven RBIs. His hits collected in 16 games translated to a .234/.294/.489 batting line, with 11 strikeouts to four walks.
Puig has maintained his focus this season is on being a good teammate and having a positive presence in the clubhouse. Roberts stated in early March that he is ‘all-in’ on Puig.
