LOS ANGELES -– The disabled list became a destination of sorts for key Dodgers players over the weekend as described by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.
Last Thursday, Matt Kemp was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring strain. On Sunday, A.J. Ellis headed to the the 15-day DL with an oblique strain. On Monday, Carl Crawford joined them on the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury.
“It’s been a pretty eventful three or four days here,” Mattingly said.
Enter heralded outfielder Yasiel Puig, who was recalled from Double-A Chattanooga, and immediately found himself inserted into the starting lineup. Puig batted leadoff and started in right field in his major league debut on Monday night at Dodger Stadium vs. the Padres.
Puig hit .517 with three home runs, two triples, five doubles, and 11 RBI during spring training. However, with an outfield of Crawford, Kemp, and Andre Ethier, there was just nowhere for him to play and he was sent to the minors.
Due to a myriad of injuries, “Now there’s all kinds of playing time,” Mattingly said.
The majority of his time spent in Chattanooga was playing right field and Mattingly started him there on Monday because he wants him to be comfortable.
“I’m really excited and I want to help the Dodgers win and fight the battle,” Puig said through interpreter Tim Bravo.
Monday’s original starter, Chris Capuano, was scratched. Instead, the club recalled Stephen Fife (0-0, 7.71 ERA) from Triple-A Albuquerque to take the mound against the Padres.
It marked the second consecutive game the Dodgers had to call on a minor leaguer to make a spot start.
On Sunday in Colorado, it was Matt Magill, who walked nine and gave up four home runs, in the 7-2 loss to the Rockies. Magill was starting for the injured Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was hit on the foot by a line drive in his last start against the Angels last week.
Ryu threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Monday and says his foot feels a lot better. Mattingly says if there are no setbacks, Ryu will be back on the mound on Friday in a home game against the Braves.
