Yasiel Puig – Page 2 – Dodger Thoughts

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By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers are on a little streak of happy starting pitching, at least by 2016 standards. For the 14th time in their past 15 games, their opening hurler reached the five-inning checkpoint — not Koufaxian by any means, but the majority of the game nonetheless.

This is happening while the franchise currently employs 14 relievers — no, that’s no lie — on its active roster. So with an off day beckoning in a close game, Dave Roberts played himself some cards.

The Dodgers used six relievers to handle the sixth through eighth innings, before Kenley Jansen closed the ninth for a 3-1 victory and series sweep over Arizona.

Los Angeles fared far better than San Francisco, which employed eight relievers tonight at Colorado and still blew a 5-3 lead in the ninth, to fall a season-high five games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

Following fellow freshmen Jose De Leon, Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling, right-hander Brock Stewart gave the Dodgers four consecutive victories by rookie starting pitchers, unprecedented in Dodger history.

Debuting De León delights for Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On September 4, 2016

In Postgame

By Jon Weisman

After his first big-league game, Jose De León has a 6.00 ERA, a number that doesn’t come close to reflecting how good he looked Sunday.

De León, who struck out 33 with no walks in his final three minor-league games this year, became the first Dodger pitcher ever to strike out nine and walk none in his MLB debut, a 7-4 victory over San Diego.

The 24-year-old, who became the first ever to wear No. 87 for the Dodgers, had the most strikeouts in a big-league initiation for the Dodgers since Kaz Ishii in 2002.

Dodgers recall Puig, Barnes and Fields, activate Coleman and Ravin

By Jon Weisman

On September 2, 2016

In Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig will be back in the Majors for the Dodgers’ September stretch run, joined by catcher-infielder Austin Barnes and pitchers Louis Coleman, Josh Fields and Josh Ravin.

Padres at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Julio Urías, P

Since he was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on August 2, Puig played in 24 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, with a .422 on-base percentage, .605 slugging percentage, five homers and nine walks against 11 strikeouts.

“For us, Yasiel’s done everything that was asked of him,” Dave Roberts said today in an interview with MLB Network about Puig, who will start tonight. “As we talked through things, we felt ultimately that he makes us better, with him keeping his end of the deal. It’s all about Yasiel becoming a better person, a better teammate, but also helping the Dodgers with baseball games.”

Yasiel Puig on his return: "It feels a little strange, but I'm glad to be given the opportunity." pic.twitter.com/sCzX3l0054

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 2, 2016

Said Puig to reporters this afternoon: “I earned the demotion to Triple-A. I feel that I’m now a better person, and I’m here to show it.”

Puig has a .320 on-base percentage, .386 slugging percentage and .706 OPS this season for the Dodgers. Between his return from the disabled list and his trip to the minors, he had a .390 OBP while slugging .440.

He joins a Dodger outfield that has Howie Kendrick, Joc Pederson, Josh Reddick, Andrew Toles, Kiké Hernandez and (though mainly an infielder) Rob Segedin.

Andre Ethier, who has played three nights in a row in rehab games with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (including seven innings in right field Thursday), might not be far behind.

The 26-year-old Barnes wraps up his second season in Oklahoma City with a .380 on-base percentage, .443 slugging percentage and 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts, along with 43 walks against 53 strikeouts. In brief action with the Dodger this year, Barnes is 3 for 23 with three walks and a double.

Coleman pitched four shutout innings in rehab outings from August 22-30, allowing five hits while walking none and striking out six. With the Dodgers, he has a 3.70 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. He had made six straight scoreless appearances before going on the disabled list August 3 with right shoulder fatigue.

Fields has pitched two innings for Oklahoma City since he was optioned August 23. He had allowed five earned runs and 18 baserunners in 9 2/3 innings as a Dodger since his August 1 acquisition from Houston.

Placed on the disabled list August 15 with right triceps inflammation, Ravin pitched in one rehab inning August 30 for Rancho Cucamonga, allowing a hit and a run with a strikeout. He has two shutout innings with the Dodgers this year.

Luis Avilan, a winning pitcher Wednesday thanks to Toles’ grand-slam heroics, was only temporarily on the team as the 26th man for the second game of the doubleheader, and officially returned to Triple-A today. Because he was optioned August 25, he isn’t eligible for a permanent recall until Sunday.

So as they start September, the Dodgers have 15 pitchers and 15 position players on their active roster — with more to come.

#VinTop20: No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam

By Jon Weisman

On August 23, 2016

In Broadcasting, History

Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 18: Yasiel Puig’s first career grand slam.

— Jon Weisman

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No, you shouldn’t give up on Josh Reddick

By Jon Weisman

On August 22, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Reds, 9:35 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Andrew Toles, RF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Josh Reddick was a late scratch from today’s early game at Cincinnati, and the reason instantly came across like a taunt to his detractors — a jammed right middle finger.

Reddick is available off the bench, according to Dave Roberts, though it could be until at least Wednesday when he starts next, considering that lefty ace Madison Bumgarner is starting Tuesday for the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

But in the meantime, it’s another setback in what has been anything but a storybook chapter in Los Angeles for Reddick. Three weeks into his Dodger career, Reddick has one extra-base hit and a .211 on-base percentage. Combined with the absence of fellow former Oaklander Rich Hill from the starting rotation, judgment has rained down on the trade that sent Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas to the A’s for the pair.

It’s reasonable to expect more immediate impact from a trade specifically designed to boost the Dodgers’ pennant chances, particularly when the two players are free agents at the end of the year, than the Dodgers have gotten. But consider these counterpoints:

Farm Fresh: August 16 minors highlights

By Jon Weisman

On August 17, 2016

In Minor leagues

By Miranda Perez

Here are a few highlights from Tuesday the Dodger farm system, including one outing where the hits stopped coming:

The latest turn in Yasiel Puig’s story isn’t the last

By Jon Weisman

On August 2, 2016

In Status report, Thinking out loud, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Let’s separate Yasiel Puig’s fate as a baseball player from his fate with the Dodgers for a moment.

It’s certainly a convenient time to do it, with Puig on his way to Triple-A for the first time. He is a Dodger, and yet not a Dodger, and to say the least the baseball world is still processing it.

First comes the blame. Some say Puig had this demotion coming. Some say the Dodgers have mishandled his development. It’s easy to throw stones when there’s a free pile of ’em lining both sides of the Internet. No one’s claiming to be perfect, but no one should think it was easy.

What seems relevant to me is that it has never been in anyone’s interest to see Puig be anything less than the best he can be. That remains the case.

Maybe Puig’s next Major League game will be in another uniform. Maybe it’ll be in familiar, cozy L.A. whites before the next homestand is over. Maybe his next chapter won’t be written until 2017.

Even then, the next chapter will only be a chapter.

Dodgers send Yasiel Puig, Ross Stripling to minors

By Jon Weisman

On August 2, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Brandon McCarthy, P

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig has been sent to the minors, along with Ross Stripling, to make room on the 25-man roster for newly acquired outfielder Josh Reddick and reliever Jesse Chavez.

Rich Hill remains on the disabled list, which he is eligible to return from Thursday if he’s ready. (Technically, Hill is now the 23rd Dodger on the disabled list this year, setting a National League record.) Relief pitcher Josh Fields will also report to the minors.

The Dodgers are expected to comment later today about Puig, who is being optioned to the minors (as opposed to going on a rehab assignment) for the first time since March 26, 2013, when the team sent him to Double-A Chattanooga after his first Spring Training.

Puig’s transaction history appears below (click to enlarge):

Dodgers stamp successful July with 14-3 victory

By Jon Weisman

On July 31, 2016

In Health/injuries, Postgame

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Throughout July, Dodger bats and relievers had carried Los Angeles through their first full month without Clayton Kershaw. On the final day before August, they summed it up in one rollicking package.

Yasiel Puig remains out of starting lineup

By Jon Weisman

On July 29, 2016

In Pregame

Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Andrew Toles, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Yasiel Puig remains listed on the Dodger lineup card as a reserve, but for the seventh straight game, he is not starting.

Puig’s last start came July 20 at Washington. He then had a scheduled off day July 21 but came off the bench and felt tightness in his right hamstring while trying to beat out a hit in his only at-bat of the game.

He has made one pinch-hitting appearance since, on July 22. Counting Thursday’s off day, Puig has been out of action for six days entering tonight’s game.

The 25-year-old has a .384 on-base percentage and .412 slugging percentage in 99 plate appearances since returning June 21 from a stint on the disabled list because of his left hamstring.

Andrew Toles, profiled Thursday by J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News, is starting for the fifth time in seven games since Puig’s last start. Toles is 9 for 31 with three walks for a .353 on-base percentage in the first 34 plate appearances of his Major League career.

Brett Anderson to begin rehab assignment Thursday

By Jon Weisman

On July 27, 2016

In Health/injuries

By Jon Weisman

Some quick Dodger injury updates, mostly courtesy of Dave Roberts:

Brett Anderson is set to make his first game appearance since back surgery in March with three scheduled innings in a rehab assignment Thursday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Kiké Hernandez went 3 for 8 with two walks and a stolen base Monday and Tuesday for Rancho Cucamonga. He will continue his rehab assignment with Double-A Tulsa.
Yasiel Puig is still day-to-day because of his right hamstring, available to pinch-hit but not to start.
Adam Liberatore was unavailable Tuesday after tweaking his right knee covering first during Sunday’s game at St. Louis.
Chase Utley and Yasmani Grandal are healthy but not starting today, simply to rest at the outset of a day game against a left-hander (Matt Moore) that followed a night game.

Dodger hitting update: Guys are hitting

By Jon Weisman

On July 14, 2016

In Hitting

By Jon Weisman

You can almost hear those kids in the back of the Dodger van: “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?”

From a batting standpoint, they might be.

Over the past four weeks, the Dodgers have starters at 6 1/2 positions OPSing above .800. Los Angeles is 16-7 (.696) in that time, which is tied with the Giants for the best record in the National League.

Hanger stakes Orioles to rare win at Dodger Stadium

By Jon Weisman

On July 5, 2016

In Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

Kenta Maeda never really had it tonight.

A superb first-inning catch by Trayce Thompson and a second-inning 9-6 forceout by Yasiel Puig bought Maeda some time, but the outcome hung in the balance about as long as the aching 75-mph curveball that he threw to Manny Machado with two on and none out in the top of the fifth.

Machado — who had been the victim of Thompson’s theft — slammed that tetherball off its rope, sending it to the back of the Left Field Pavilion, 453 feet away, breaking a 1-1 tie in what would be a 4-1 Orioles victory, ending the Dodgers’ winning streaks of five overall and 10 at home.

It was Baltimore’s first victory at Dodger Stadium in 49 years and nine months, since the infamous Game 2 of the 1966 World Series. (Mark Langill will have more on that game Wednesday morning.) Los Angeles had won all four of its regular-season home games against Baltimore.

Gonzalez, Puig playing the hits as Dodgers win again

By Jon Weisman

On July 2, 2016

In Postgame

By Jon Weisman

Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig are hitting, and the Dodgers are winning.

Dodgers eclipse darkness in Pittsburgh with comeback

By Jon Weisman

On June 27, 2016

In Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

Shortly after high noon at Pittsburgh, the clock looked like it was going to strike an early midnight for Los Angeles.

The Pirates took a 4-0 lead in the first inning of today’s afternoon special, and the dark side of history had the drop. The Dodgers would need a big rally to avoid their first four-game sweep by the Pirates since 1944 (when it happened twice — in July and August). They were also trying to end an eight-game losing streak at PNC Park.

The last Dodger pitcher to win there was Hyun-Jin Ryu, who hasn’t appeared in an MLB game in more than 21 months.

But whatever flag the Dodgers will hoist this year, it won’t be white. With a run in the third inning and four in the fifth, the Dodgers bucked the Bucs, rallying for a 212-minute, 5-4 victory that was their 23rd comeback win of the season.

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Tag: Yasiel Puig (Page 2 of 15)

Dodgers sweep Arizona — rook, line and sinker

Debuting De León delights for Dodgers

Dodgers recall Puig, Barnes and Fields, activate Coleman and Ravin

#VinTop20: No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam

No, you shouldn’t give up on Josh Reddick

Farm Fresh: August 16 minors highlights

The latest turn in Yasiel Puig’s story isn’t the last

Dodgers send Yasiel Puig, Ross Stripling to minors

Dodgers stamp successful July with 14-3 victory

Yasiel Puig remains out of starting lineup

Brett Anderson to begin rehab assignment Thursday

Dodger hitting update: Guys are hitting

Hanger stakes Orioles to rare win at Dodger Stadium

Gonzalez, Puig playing the hits as Dodgers win again

Dodgers eclipse darkness in Pittsburgh with comeback

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