Puig continues rehab, eyes weekend return

LOS ANGELES -- Yasiel Puig homered in his second rehab game in as many days and hopes to return to Los Angeles as early as Saturday.

Puig played six and a half innings for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a home run, a walk and he was caught stealing. Combined in his two rehab games, Puig was 3-for-7 with one home run and a double.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Puig's early departure wasn't due to injury.

"It was all positive," he said after Friday's 2-1 loss to the Cardinals. "He didn't come out for any negative reason."

Puig posted a picture on his Instagram account saying it was his last day in Lancaster, where Rancho Cucamonga was playing, and that he would be heading to LA on Saturday, which he said was his goal following Thursday's rehab stint.

"I have an idea," Mattingly said on when Puig could return. "We haven't really talked about it so we'll talk about it and see where he's at."

Mattingly wouldn't rule out Puig's return to Los Angeles on Saturday.

"Obviously, there's a chance," Mattingly said.

Puig has appeared in 11 games this season with the Dodgers and has been on the disabled list since April 25.