Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig still waiting for home-run derby invitation

Yasiel Puig said again that he would take part in the home-run derby if invited, but that he hadn’t heard from National League captain Troy Tulowitzki as of Sunday.

Tulowitzki has already reached out to Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins, who has agreed to take part in the event.

“If Tulowitzki invites me, I’ll go,” Puig said.

Manager Don Mattingly said he has no concerns that the contest could negatively affect Puig’s swing.

“You ever watch these guys take BP?” Mattingly said. “I mean, they’re launching all the time.”

Yoenis Cespedes of the Oakland Athletics, who has known Puig since their days in Cuba, said he didn’t think Puig would do well in the event because he is more of a line-drive hitter than a home-run hitter.

Mattingly disagreed.

“Puig pretty much needs to be a line-drive hitter, but when he does square them up, they’re going a long way,” Mattingly said. “He’s hit balls just about out of the building and he can go all over the field. He’s a guy who can pull easily.

“I think he might have a chance to win that thing.”

Even if Puig doesn’t get the chance, he figures at least to play in his first All-Star Game, as he currently leads all NL outfielders in votes.
“I feel very happy,” Puig said. “I have to keep working hard because there are many good outfielders in the National League fighting to go to the All-Star Game.”

Puig proceeded to ask fans to continue voting for him. Voting ends Thursday at 8:59 p.m. PT.