Los Angeles Dodgers Expected to Recall Yasiel Puig
By Nick Fustor
After a demotion to Triple-A looked to be the end of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yasiel Puig is expected to be recalled to the team at some point this weekend.
In the midst of a second consecutive down season, the Los Angeles Dodgers demoted Yasiel Puig to Triple-A last month in hopes of sparking him for a late season run. And that’s exactly what happened.
Rather than continue to struggle and further push himself out of favor with Dodger management, Puig annihilated Triple-A pitching. It now seems that Puig to has the potential to be an integral piece to the Dodgers late season playoff push.
With trade rumors swirling and a claim by a mystery team on waivers, Puig slashed .348/.400/.594 with four home runs and 12 RBI in just 19 games. While he’s been facing lesser competition in the minors, a turnaround of the sorts is rare for a player so late in the season.
In 81 major league games this season, Puig was hitting .260/.320/.386 with seven home runs and a dismal 5.9 percent walk rate.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reported that Puig will likely return to the Dodgers this weekend. His return could be vital to the Dodgers playoff hopes, as they hold just a two game lead over the San Francisco Giants.
With the recently acquired Josh Reddick struggling since his arrival in LA, Puig could be the spark the Dodger outfield needs. While the team may opt to keep Reddick as the starter, Puig could bounce around the outfield to fill in as needed. Howie Kendrick has performed admirably in left field for much of the season, but has struggled of late. The same goes for Joc Pederson, who is hitting under .160 in his last 15 games.
The Dodgers do have other bench options in the outfield, however, so consistent playing time isn’t a sure thing for Puig. Andrew Toles is hitting near .400 with three homers in 67 plate appearances, while Enrique Hernandez and Ross Segedin are both viable backups.
In order to boost himself atop the depth chart, Puig will need to cut down on his strikeouts upon his return and keep up his walks.
Next: Clayton Kershaw to Make Rehab Start
Los Angeles is banking on the hope that Puig can recapture the magic from his remarkable rookie season in 2013. If he can’t, the trade rumors will continue to rumble – and Puig may very well find himself on another team by the start of the 2017 season.