Yasiel Puig Discusses Health After First Rehab Assignment With Quakes

After watching him succumb to a left hamstring injury for the second time this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers made the wise decision to place Yasiel Puig on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his career. Given the tricky nature of a hamstring strain, the Dodgers have been careful not to put too much on Puig’s plate too soon.

On Thursday Puig began a rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, where Kenley Jansen is in the final stages of preparing for his 2015 debut. Puig batted second in the lineup while serving as the Quakes designated hitter. It was a return of sorts for the Cuban native as he played 14 games with the Quakes in 2012 and hit .327/.407/.423.

Prior to first pitch he had the opportunity to reunite with a familiar face for a photo-op, via the Quakes Twitter account:

#BestFriendGoals pic.twitter.com/JQ3KIRi4VA

— RC Quakes Baseball (@RCQuakes) May 8, 2015

As for on-the-field matters, success was not to be had for Puig Thursday night as he finished the game 0-for-4 with two strikeouts; the two times he put the ball in play resulted in a ground out and fly out.

Although the fans surely would have preferred more electrifying results from Puig, the true concern is the status of his hamstring. It of course was a topic broached when Puig addressed members of the media after his night came to an end.

Puig made light of the situation, answering as best he could — in English at one point — while also joking he couldn’t fully asses his hamstring as he struck out twice. Video of the media scrum with Puig are courtesy Michelle Gardner of the Daily Bulletin:

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has previously indicated Puig’s next step after DH-ing is playing the outfield before re-joining the Dodgers. Puig can be reinstated from the DL on Monday, May 11.

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