Dodgers pitcher: Yasiel Puig bullied by teammates

Dodgers pitcher: Yasiel Puig bullied by teammates

Published Nov. 15, 2013 8:31 a.m. ET

It appears that not everyone in the Dodgers clubhouse was a fan of Yasiel Puig.

In a story by the Los Angeles Times on Friday, relief pitcher J.P. Howell admits seeing Puig, the rookie phenom from Cuba, bullied by teammates.

Howell, however, would not discuss who was involved, or the outcome.

"The guy (Puig) is such a champion," Howell told Bill Shaikin. "He has such a big heart. Sometimes he acts like a jerk, but that is his defense mechanism. It's not really him.

"Someday, he is not going to be 22. He's not going to be like that. I love the guy. I hope he never changes, just maybe matures."

Puig finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting after batting .319 with 19 homers and 42 RBI in 382 at bats.

The Dodgers advanced to the NLCS before they were eliminated by St. Louis.

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