Slumping Puig is given day off

Caught in a five-for-34 slump, Yasiel Puig received a rare day off from Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts on Saturday.

“I thought he needed a day to clear his mind,” Roberts said before his team faced San Diego. “It’s not the body, because we’ve given him days off. I think he’s just trying to do a little bit too much.”

Roberts also kept struggling veteran Howie Kendrick out of the lineup. Kendrick hit a single off the bench Friday, which raised his batting average to .151.

Roberts hoped Kendrick could rebound next week, when the team will face some left-handed pitchers in Tampa Bay and Toronto. Kendrick also could play as the designated hitter in those American League games.

“He’s going to get his atbats,” Roberts said. “And there’s a fine line, because you want to give guys atbats to play.

“But also, sometimes, to take a step back from performing night in and night out can be beneficial. So that’s my hope.”

Maeda to face the Blue Jays

Kenta Maeda will not make his next start until Friday, when the Dodgers visit the Blue Jays.

The team wanted Maeda, a right-handed pitcher who shined in his first month in the majors, to face Toronto’s right-handed gantlet of hitters such as Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion.

Left-hander Alex Wood will start in Maeda’s place Wednesday in Tampa Bay.

The Dodgers can manipulate the rotation because of days off Monday and Thursday.

McCarthy and Ryu take the mound

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy (elbow ligamentreplacement surgery) and left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder surgery) threw bullpen sessions Saturday afternoon.

McCarthy threw about 50 pitches and Ryu threw about 40, Roberts said.

Ryu could pitch to hitters in a simulated game next week.