Los Angeles Dodgers: Yasiel Puig up to old tricks in Mexican League

Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig had an avenue back to the majors. After signing a one year deal with Aguila de Veracruz in the Mexican League, he had two specific tasks – to show that he could still hit and to stay out of trouble. The latter would be the more difficult part.

It took all of eight games before Puig was up to his old tricks. On Saturday night, he started a benches clearing situation on a pitch that was off the outer edge of the plate, barking at the opposing pitcher.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig cannot stop himself

It is understandable that Puig wants to help his team win. Down 8-5, and with runners on second and third, he wants the pitcher to throw strikes. But at the same point, there is no motivation for the pitcher to throw anything near the plate, especially if they are trying to pitch around him. Considering the umpire called a pitch that was in the left handed batter’s box a strike, why tempt fate?

But that was not enough for Puig. He started barking at the pitcher, angrily gesturing for him to throw the ball over the plate. The catcher got up to make sure that Puig did not go after his pitcher, the benches cleared, and the former Dodgers’ outfielder was once again in the middle of the storm.

Puig had been living up to the first part. His bat showed no signs of rust despite having not played since 2019, as he has posted a .393/.469/.536 batting line in his 32 plate appearances, hitting a double and a homer. He has struck out just four times while drawing four walks, and already notched an outfield assist. Puig has lived up to expectations.

While Puig is being what he was expected to be with the bat, he is also being the personality he was expected to be as well. All he had to do was stay out of trouble, and he could not even go two weeks without stirring up controversy. It is another black mark against the idea that he could return to the majors.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is up to his old tricks in Mexico. His hopes of returning to the majors may vanish if this continues.