DL is a possibility for Puig
ST. LOUIS — On Thursday in Washington, Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts chose to give Yasiel Puig a day off. He wanted to keep Puig rested for the weekend at Busch Stadium. The strategy backfired when Puig came off the bench that day against the Nationals and tweaked his right hamstring.
Puig was out of the lineup for the fourth consecutive game Sunday, which meant the Dodgers must weigh whether he will require his second stint on the 15-day disabled list in 2016. Roberts said he hoped Puig would be able to play Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium.
“Come Tuesday, there’s only so many days you want to be short. We’re talking about it,” Roberts said before Sunday’s series finale with the Cardinals. “Around four to five days is what a team likes to give a player to see when you can make a decision.”
The Dodgers could backdate the DL stay to Friday, when Puig was used in extra innings as a pinch-hitter.
With Puig sidelined, Roberts returned rookie Andrew Toles to the lineup Sunday. Toles had three hits in Saturday’s victory over St. Louis and scored two runs. Anderson’s progress
After completing a threeinning simulated game this weekend, Brett Anderson (back surgery) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday, Roberts said. Roberts suggested Anderson probably would begin with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, but was unsure his exact destination.
The Dodgers hope Anderson can return by the middle of next month. He has not pitched for them this season. No Kershaw update
Roberts had little to share about pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who experienced a setback in his recovery from a herniated disk last weekend. “He’s still going through his progressions,” Roberts said. Stripling could stick
Ross Stripling threw two scoreless innings in relief Saturday, and Roberts said he liked the idea of keeping him in the Dodgers bullpen for a while as a long reliever. Stripling started the season as the team’s fifth starter, but spent time in the minors with his innings restricted.
“I could see him here,” Roberts said. “Where Ross is at in his big league career, with our roster, he makes sense on a winning team in the ’pen, for me. Because I think he gives you that versatility.”