Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig seems to have lost patience at the plate
Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig looks to the dugout for signs as he steps out of the batter’s box while facing the Rockies on Apr. 24.
The most encouraging image from the latest iteration of Yasiel Puig’s attempt at development occurred in the first game of the season. Puig worked a walk against San Diego, flipped his bat and sprinted to first base.
Puig repeated the gesture four more times during the first week of the season, adding flair to his newfound patience. The production thrilled Dodgers officials, who expressed optimism about Puig’s ability to bounce back after a disappointing 2015 season.
But the restraint at the plate has not lasted. Puig has walked once in his last 15 games heading into Thursday night. During that stretch, he hit .204 with four extra-base hits and 14 strikeouts.
“He’s been getting out of the strike zone a little bit more,” Manager Dave Roberts explained before Thursday’s series finale against Miami.
The statistics bear that out. Through 22 games, Puig swung at 41% of the pitches he saw outside the strike zone, well above his career average of 33.4%, according to FanGraphs. Only three other players — Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips, Minnesota outfielder Eddie Rosario and Atlanta shortstop Erick Aybar — were more prone to chasing balls.
In Roberts’ view, Puig has been vulnerable to fastballs inside and off-speed pitches away. He went 0 for 4 on Wednesday night, striking out with one out and the bases loaded in a critical eighth-inning spot.
“Yesterday [Wednesday], I thought, actually, he did a great job staying within the strike zone,” Roberts said. “If he continues to do that, he’ll get his hits.”
Turner not in starting lineup
Justin Turner was not in the starting lineup Thursday, as the Dodgers wanted to protect his surgically repaired left knee. That meant Howie Kendrick started at third base. Kendrick lugged a .143 batting average into the game.
“Howie is getting some pitches to hit,” Roberts said. “And the pitches [on which] the at-bats should be ended, he’s fouling them off, or swinging through them. And then you get into pitchers’ counts, and then you’re getting their nasty breaking balls.”
McCarthy, Ryu set to throw
Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder surgery) and Brandon McCarthy (Tommy John surgery) will throw bullpen sessions on Saturday, Roberts said.
Twitter: @McCulloughTimes
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