Puig set to have MRI on reinjured hamstring
Outfielder pulled up while running out grounder during rehab game
DENVER -- Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, who is on the disabled list, will have an MRI on his reinjured left hamstring Sunday, but manager Don Mattingly downplayed his concern over the severity of the setback.
Puig pulled up on a groundout Friday night with a tight hamstring in the second of a three-game Minor League rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga in Adelanto.
"The fact he pulled up means he's not ready, it doesn't mean a total setback. I don't think it's monumental he's blown something up," Mattingly said.
"People look at rehab as it's something he has to do. It's designed to find out if he's 100 percent, instead of finding out here and it costs another 15 games. You can't simulate game speed and action. That's what those games are for."
That said, Mattingly had indicated the club expected Puig to join the team for Monday's homestand opener. Instead, his rehab assignment will likely be shut down and will restart when the hamstring is 100 percent healed.
In the meantime, with Carl Crawford also on the disabled list, the Dodgers are expected to continue picking from Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, Alex Guerrero, Kiké Hernandez and Chris Heisey to play the corner outfield spots, with Joc Pederson starting most games in center field.
Puig has played in only 11 of the Dodgers' 29 games.