Unable to trade Yasiel Puig prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers demoted their enigmatic outfielder to Triple-A Oklahoma City. It was the first time in Puig’s career he’d been sent to the Minors.
He spent one month with Oklahoma City, batting .348/.400/.594 with three doubles, one triple, four home runs and 12 RBI over 19 games. That he performed well certainly aided Puig’s case to return to the Dodgers.
But manager Dave Roberts and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman primarily lauded the 25-year-old outfielder for his handling of the demotion.
Friedman visited Puig in Oklahoma City and was encouraged by the conversation they had. Puig was among the players added to the active roster on Friday.
In discussing that decision, Roberts said Puig “earned the right” to return to the Majors.
The rookie manager also said Puig’s ability to hit left-handed pitching factored into the Dodgers recalling him. He was in the lineup Friday night against southpaw Clayton Richard, and went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
Puig started on Sunday with the Padres sending Christian Friedrich to the mound. San Diego held a 2-0 lead in the third when Puig connected for a line-drive, three-run homer:
The home run was Puig’s eighth of the season, first since being recalled, and first with the Dodgers since July 4.
