With their National League Division Series opponent New York Mets dealing with injury concerns ranging from their starting rotation to the lineup, the Los Angeles Dodgers may soon draw closer to full health before Game 1 on Oct. 9.
“He may be here this weekend,” Dodgers manger Don Mattingly said of Yasiel Puig. “He’s played two days in a row there [Arizona] and we’ll see how it goes.” Puig traveled to the club’s Spring Training complex to continue with his rehab one day prior to the Dodgers beginning their road trip in Colorado.
After stating earlier in the week the dynamic outfielder was managing to just run at 80 percent and with some pain still lingering, Mattingly followed up a few days after by revealing Puig had somehow overcome that pain and was full-go.
What Mattingly didn’t elaborate in his latest update on Puig was whether the 24 year old will be activated off the disabled list for either of the two remaining games against the San Diego Padres. That being said, there aren’t more tests left for Puig.
“It doesn’t seem like it,” Mattingly answered when asked if there are more hurdles Puig needs to cross off. “He’s been able to run the last few days. He’s played on the field two days in a row.”
Playing in an Instructional League game on Friday, Puig reached base and swiped a bag. “I think he walked, singled, tried to steal a base and got fouled off twice, stole a base on 3-2, got a ground ball in right field and threw it in easily,” Mattingly said.
If Puig is not activated over the weekend, he presumably could be part of any simulated games or live batting practice sessions Dodgers pitchers may need to throw during the layoff in the days leading up to the NLDS.
