LA Dodgers Rumors: Yasiel Puig Not Needed By Dodgers, Yet
LA Dodgers rumors about Yasiel Puig is out for a while. These Dodgers rumors might not be a bad thing, if a report from CBS Sports turns out to be correct. At the heart of the report is the fact that the Dodgers already have a lot of depth in the outfield. Add in the recent losing streak of the second-place San Francisco Giants, the potential first-round opponent in the MLB Playoffs, and that Puig was struggling. Suddenly, the outlook isn’t so gloomy.
A report from the Los Angeles Times states that Puig could miss the rest of the regular season with his hamstring injury. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly revealed that fact, telling reporters he needs to see something from the All-Star outfielder before he risks putting him in a postseason lineup as well. There has been no optimism expressed by Mattingly when it comes to setting a timetable for Puig’s return either.
There had been a lot of LA Dodgers rumors concerning Yasiel Puig before he got hurt. The team has Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson, Scott Van Slyke, and now Justin Ruggiano on the roster. That depth and off-field problems led to conjecture that Puig could be traded. It hasn’t helped that Puig has just a .256 batting average during the 2015 MLB season, including 65 strikeouts in 77 games. Those struggles might help Mattingly make a long-term decision.
There is no reason to rush Puig back from his injury when the team has a 7 1/2 games lead over the Giants in the National League West. With just 27 games left in the regular season, it would be hard for the Dodgers to lose that lead. The team is lined up to face the New York Mets in the first-round of the playoffs, an opponent that might pitch three right-handed starting pitchers against the Dodgers. That’s the perfect situation for Mattingly to use three left-handed hitting outfielders. Puig is not one of them.
A lot of pressure is being placed upon Mattingly for the Dodgers to do well in the 2015 MLB Playoffs, so the entire Yasiel Puig situation is drama he doesn’t need. The team has won eight of its last 10 games, showing that Puig might not even be needed. That’s something that could be addressed in the offseason, but for right now, all Los Angeles Dodgers rumors give a positive outlook for the team. Is there any opponent who wants to go up against Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke right now anyway?
[Image Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images]
