Puig back in Dodgers' lineup; Grandal throws

Kendrick remains sidelined with strained left calf

March 29th, 2016

PHOENIX -- Outfielder Yasiel Puig and infielder Kiké Hernandez returned from injuries to the Dodgers' lineup on Monday and catcher Yasmani Grandal resumed throwing, but infielder Howie Kendrick remained in the trainer's room as the Dodgers issued their latest injury report.
Puig, who missed games Saturday and Sunday with left hamstring tightness, originally was not in the lineup for Monday night's 5-4 win over Texas, but manager Dave Roberts said he made the change.
"We talked and I just really wanted to make certain when he came in today and with the trainers, [he] got complete approval and then we changed it," Roberts said.
Puig went 0-for-2 with a walk and strikeout. Asked how his hamstring felt after the game, Puig said: "Good. I'm ready for the season."
Dodgers depth chart
Hernandez, who missed three days with a bruised side after being hit by a pitch, was back at shortstop, where he has been filling in for Corey Seager, who is recovering from a sprained knee.
He went 0-for-3, scored a run and committed a throwing error, and said he expected to play again Tuesday. Hernandez also had a home run down the left-field line taken away when umpires convened and overturned the original call.

Grandal caught Scott Kazmir's bullpen session and returned throws, an indication that his strained right forearm was healing. Roberts said Grandal might play in Minor League games in the next day or two.
Not the case, however, with Kendrick and his strained left calf, an injury that often takes weeks, not days, to heal. Kendrick and Grandal will remain in Arizona when the Dodgers break camp on Wednesday.
"Howie is still in the treatment phase with minimal activity and trying to get that thing to loosen up and not be so sensitive," Roberts said.
If Grandal and Kendrick open the season the disabled list, they likely would be replaced on the roster by Austin Barnes and Charlie Culberson, who singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth Monday night.
Seager, working to return from a sprained left knee, played another Minor League game Monday and moved well, according to Roberts. He is expected to repeat the exercise on Tuesday.
Roberts said Hyun-Jin Ryu would throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and the next step would be to face live hitters. Roberts said it had not been decided whether Ryu would remain working in Arizona or go to California.