Dodgers say they haven’t discussed trading Yasiel Puig

Yasiel Puig shook his head when asked Saturday whether the Dodgers told him he wouldn’t be traded.

“I don’t know anything about that,” Puig said in Spanish.

Citing anonymous sources, ESPN Deportes reported Puig was recently assured by management he would remain with the team. CBS Sports later ran a similar story that said Puig inquired about his status after hearing rumors he could be traded to the Cincinnati Reds or another team in exchange for a pitcher.

Puig said that never happened.

“I don’t have time to be asking about that,” he said.

Puig wasn’t in the Dodgers lineup Saturday for their game against the New York Mets at Citi Field, as Manager Don Mattingly said he wanted to give the right fielder a night off before a day game Sunday.

Puig, who spent five weeks on the disabled list because of a strained hamstring, is batting .259 with six home runs and 22 runs batted in.

Mattingly said he hasn’t spoken to Puig about trade rumors — namely, because Puig hasn’t been mentioned in internal discussions as a trade candidate.

“There’s been really no rumors within our inner circle, at least,” Mattingly said.

The team’s president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, declined to comment.

Support for Puig was recently voiced by Mark Walter, the team’s chairman and controlling owner.

“I wouldn’t give up on him now,” Walter said, adding he thought Puig would become a “great player.”

Back in the lineup

Adrian Gonzalez’s name wasn’t on the original lineup that was posted in the Dodgers clubhouse Saturday, as the first baseman was still dealing with a stiff neck that prevented him from playing the previous night.

But Gonzalez reported improvement in his condition in batting practice, which resulted in Mattingly adding his name to the lineup.

Rotation plans

Zack Greinke returned from the birth of his first child and remains on schedule to start Sunday in the series finale against the Mets.

After a day off Monday, the Dodgers will turn to Brett Anderson on Tuesday for the first game of their two-game set against the Oakland Athletics at Dodger Stadium. Clayton Kershaw will start Wednesday.

The Dodgers will have another day off Thursday.

When they host the Angels on Friday, either Greinke or Mike Bolsinger will start.

MORE ON THE DODGERS:

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