Scott Van Slyke injury could open roster spot for Yasiel Puig
Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig laughs during a Tuesday practice for the upcoming NLDS against the Mets.
Maybe deep down the Dodgers would rather not have Yasiel Puig on their postseason roster, and maybe they really would.
Scott Van Slyke’s sore wrist might make it all a moot point and force the Dodgers to place their enigmatic Cuban outfielder on the roster.
The Dodgers appear unconvinced that Van Slyke -- who had a second cortisone injection in his right wrist Friday -- will make the playoff roster, opening up another spot for a right-handed hitting outfielder.
Manager Don Mattingly said Van Slyke tried hitting in the batting cage prior to Tuesday’s workout at Dodger Stadium and it was not encouraging.
“It didn’t go as good as I’d like,” Mattingly said. “It’s better than it was, but it’s still not where we need it to be … (he) still has some restrictions, so that kind of helped us answer some questions.”
Which sounds like no Van Slyke in the first round, and a big opening for Puig.
Puig played in only the last two games of the regular season after missing five weeks with a strained hamstring. He did not run hard in either game and had one flare hit in five at-bats. Puig hardly convinced anyone he was ready for the postseason.
Right-handed outfielder Justin Ruggiano is presumed to be already be on the roster. With Van Slyke unavailable, the final outfielder spot could come down to Puig or Chris Heisey.
Puig had a disappointing season (.255/.322/.436) but still offers that great potential. His injury, however, makes him a gamble.
If the Dodgers put him on the roster, then he aggravates the hamstring and has to be replaced, he would not be eligible for the next round.
“A guy that hasn’t played in a while, a little bit rusty,” Mattingly said. “But that doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t mean that the thing turns and that the bright lights come on and something good happens. You never know what’s going to happen this time of year.”
Last year in the playoffs, Puig went three for 12 with eight strikeouts and was benched in the final game against St. Louis.
Are you a true-blue fan?
Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
