Yasiel Puig returns to Dodgers lineup after demotion
After being demoted to the minors for a month, Yasiel Puig is back on the Los Angeles Dodgers' roster.
The Cuban was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start Friday night's game against the San Diego Padres in right field.
.@YasielPuig is back and in the lineup tonight. #LetsGoDodgers! pic.twitter.com/CifzhGl3IR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 2, 2016
"Ultimately, we felt he made us better," manager Dave Roberts said. "He can impact a game in a lot of different ways."
During his time in Oklahoma City, Puig hit five home runs and 14 RBIs in 24 games.
"They made the right choice sending me down there but now I was doing the correct things to come back," Puig said through a translator. "I'm here now and I'm grateful for the opportunity."
The contrite 25-year-old also said his stint in the minor leagues helped him to learn discipline and how to be a better teammate.
"It wasn't embarrassing. I earned the demotion," Puig continued. "I feel like I'm a better person and I'm here now to show it, to play well, to do things that will positively affect my future."
That included meeting with some of his teammates before batting practice. Roberts says the team told Puig of their expectations for him during the last stretch of the regular season. The Dodgers are in first place in the NL West.
"They explained to me what they needed from me," Puig said. "That's really what I was looking for was a talk with the teammates, a talk with everyone, and having that understanding of what was needed from me to succeed on this team."
Though reports have suggested that Puig's return to the majors may be more of a tryout for other MLB teams rather than earning his place back with the Dodgers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
