Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Updates Hanley Ramirez And Yasiel Puig
Two days remain in the 2013 Dodgers regular season and to no one’s surprise, outfielder Yasiel Puig isn’t in the lineup tonight after leaving last night’s game in the sixth inning.
Puig fouled off a ball off his shin in the first inning and did so again in the fifth and limped noticeably to first after flying out to shallow right. Meanwhile, Hanley Ramirez was back in the lineup tonight as he got the night off last night, but was back in the lineup today.
Talking to Pedro Moura of the OC Register, Don Mattingly discussed his plan for Puig and Hanley for the final two games:
Yasiel Puig out today, but will play tomorrow, per Mattingly. Hanley Ramirez will play today, not tomorrow.
— Pedro Moura (@PedroMoura) September 28, 2013
Since he returned from an irritated nerve in his back, Hanley has seen quite a bit of rest, but any concerns about his timing not being there haven’t arisen. Meanwhile, Puig was reportedly offered to wear a shin guard after hurting himself in the first inning and Mattingly believes that might be a good idea from now on.
The Dodgers are entrenched as the number three seed in the NL and will start the NLDS on the road in either Atlanta or St. Louis. Clayton Kershaw starts Game 1 with Zack Greinke going in Game 2 as Puig and Hanley should be right in the middle of the Dodgers lineup.
Mattingly has been consistent in resting his stars, but giving them enough playing time to stay sharp as the Dodgers need Hanley and Puig to ignite the offense.
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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!
http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME
