The NL West-leading Dodgers opened the season in Australia over the weekend with a two-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Puig played decently (3-10, one double, two RBI four strikeouts) before pulling himself out of the second game in the ninth inning because of an alleged back injury he suffered while whiffing.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly didn’t sound impressed with the move. After the game, Mattingly told reporters that Puig “grabs something every time he takes a swing and misses…At this point, it’s like the little boy that cried wolf.
Mattingly said earlier today he is unsure of when Puig is really hurt and when he isn’t. Even now, doesn’t know is back problem is serious.
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) March 23, 2014
Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
In addition to Mattingly’s somewhat veiled criticism of the second-year player, Los Angeles first baseman Adrian Gonzalez also let Puig have it after the game for making two base-running mistakes that led to outs.
According to reports “the two players were bantering loudly in Spanish in the Dodgers’ clubhouse following the game.”
All of this is even more telling when you consider that Puig also reportedly showed up to spring training 26 pounds over his 2013 playing weight and was benched numerous times last season for lazy play.
Does any of this really matter for the $42 million man or his fantasy owners?
Probably not.
The Dodgers have invested far too much in Puig to keep him benched and he needs at-bats to help ensure he doesn’t regress in his second year in the big leagues.
In 231 post-All Star break plate appearances last season, Puig hit .273 with 23 RBI and 11 homers after hitting a blistering .391 with 19 RBI and eight homers in 151 at-bats before the break. His strikeouts were also much more frequent during the end of 2013 and the Dodgers will want to make sure that trend does not continue in 2014.
Fantasy players who believe in Puig’s talent at the plate and speed on the basepaths (11 steals in 2013) shouldn’t really adjust their expectations based on these two games and the drama therein. Puig was kind of a knucklehead last year and he will likely continue to be — that doesn’t mean he can’t hit for a high average, steal bases and chip in a good amount of power numbers. After all, he’s going to need to keep making the big bucks to afford perks like the $300,000 Rolls Royce Ghost he took to the Greystone Manor in Hollywood after the Dodgers got back from the Land Down Under.
Although his health and attitude issues don’t seem like they are going anywhere in 2014, it sounds like Puig will be back on the field soon. According to CBS Sports, “Puig was held out of Tuesday’s workout due to back stiffness, but he spent the morning receiving treatment and is expected back on the field Wednesday.”
As long as he’s on the field for Los Angles, he should be in fantasy lineups around the country.
Evan Bleier is a freelance writer based out of wherever he can plug in his laptop. You can send him questions, comments and Buffalo wing suggestions @itishowitis or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook
Photo Credit: Getty
