Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig injures left thumb sliding head-first

By Steve Dilbeck

Where were we with Yasiel Puig? Oh, yeah, it’s always something.

This time it was potential injury, and although it did not appear serious, it hasn’t been ruled out.

Puig was on time for batting practice and back in the lineup Saturday against the Giants, but in the third inning of a 7-2 loss, he hit a bouncer up the middle that San Francisco shortstop Brandon Crawford handled with a nice diving stop and quick throw, which was a little up the line.

Puig, however, did not know how accurate the throw was and decided to slide Nick Punto style, going head-first into the bag.

“He’s one of those guys, he sees the finish line and he just goes for it,” first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said of Puig.

Unfortunately, his left thumb caught part of the bag and he was slow getting up. He knelt over, hands on his knees, and took awhile before walking back to the bag. Soon afterward he was picked off at first.

He remained in the game, however, and played all nine innings. Puig didn’t think the injured thumb was serious, but the Dodgers did have X-rays taken after the game. A team spokesman said the X-rays had not been reviewed by a doctor and the results would not be made available until Sunday.

Puig did not have the thumb taped after the game, but kept moving it in circles as he spoke with reporters.