Dodgers News: Yasiel Puig Will Start Friday in Right Field

Fans went crazy when the Dodgers announced that Yasiel Puig had been placed on waivers. I don’t think the Dodgers fan base was ready to let go of such a talented athlete just yet. Fans went even crazier when it was announced that Puig would be making his way back to Los Angeles, closing the chapter in his small comeback story.

Well, fans can rejoice because Dave Roberts announced today on MLB Network Radio that Yasiel Puig will be starting Friday in Right Field!

Roberts confirms "Yasiel is definitely on his way. He'll be in the lineup tonight, playing right field" #Dodgers

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) September 2, 2016

Roberts went on to tell Casey Stern that Puig’s talent and behavior with the OKC Dodgers was the ultimate factor in the decision. Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman met with players and they all came to the agreement that Puig could make the team better, which is the main priority of course. That meeting is vital to Puig’s success in the majors because it shows that his teammates trust him and want him back on the team.

Roberts: "Yasiel has done everything we asked of him, we felt ultimately that he makes us better, that was the deciding factor" #Dodgers

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) September 2, 2016

Roberts spoke w/players before calling up Puig "Andrew & I brought in some veteran players,felt it was fair to be honest w/players" #Dodgers

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) September 2, 2016

This may come as a shock to fans because of the front office’s decision to send him down in the first place; however, number don’t lie. In 24 games with the OKC Dodgers, Yasiel Puig has a .358 AVG, .422 OBP, and a .605 SLG. It is hard to deny to fans and to yourself that he can’t contribute to the team this season and in October when he is putting up numbers like that. Hopefully he has matured in the minor leagues so that he can be a better teammate, because as far as talent goes, he has that on lock!

Listen to the full interview here!

https://soundcloud.com/mlbnetworkradio/dave-roberts-discusses-the-decision-to-bring-up-yasiel-puig?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

Here is the official press release!