|
Yasiel Puig, who spent part of 2012 with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Dodgers' Class A affiliate, will miss winter camp because he's playing in Puerto Rico. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times / August 29, 2012) |
The Dodgers have officially announced the names of their minor leaguers invited to next week’s winter camp, minus the star of the show.
Because of renovation going on at Dodger Stadium, this winter’s program is scheduled to be held at the Dodgers’ Arizona spring training facility.
But it will not feature the $42-million man, Yasiel Puig, and it apparently has nothing to do with his disappointing winter production.
Puig hit only .232 with one homer and nine RBI in 69 at-bats that included 19 strikeouts this winter for his Puerto Rico team, the Indios de Mayaguez. That team, however, has made the playoffs, so Puig will remain in the Caribbean when the Dodgers open their winter camp Sunday at Camelback Ranch.
Those invited to the mini-camp are typically considered closest to reaching the majors. Of the 15 invited last year, eight eventually played for the Dodgers in 2012.
Included this year are former No. 1 pitching picks Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Chris Withrow and minor league player of the year Joc Pederson.
Also included are a pair who saw action with the Dodgers last season, reliever Paco Rodriguez and catcher Tim Federowicz. Others invited to the six-day camp include right-handers Steve Ames and Matt Magill, left-handers Onelki Garcia and Rob Rasmussen, catcher Matt Wallach and outfielder Jeremy Moore.
Rasmussen was just acquired two weeks ago from the Astros for John Ely.
ALSO:
Daily Dodger in Review: Nathan Eovaldi heads out
Clayton and Ellen Kershaw back in Africa working on orphanage
Dodgers' 2013 season opener vs. Giants to be broadcast by ESPN
