Puig sees progress, but return still a question
Dodgers outfielder takes at-bats, but hasn't seen field
SAN FRANCISCO -- Don Mattingly, who hasn't definitively ruled outfielder Yasiel Puig out of the first round of the playoffs, reported more progress in the outfielder's rehab from a right hamstring strain.
"Yasiel's news actually has been pretty good," the Dodgers manager said Tuesday. "He was able to do things yesterday and today that are pretty encouraging. He actually played in some kind of game. He's getting at-bats, continuing to do some things."
Mattingly said Puig still hasn't played in the outfield. Previously, he said Puig and Jose Peraza (also rehabbing from a hamstring strain at the club's Arizona training complex) would need to play in controlled games in Arizona before being considered for action with the Dodgers.
Mattingly reiterated that management has not yet talked about the postseason roster. But with the first game of the first round scheduled for Oct. 9, that leaves Puig and Peraza with more than a week to convince management of their health.
If Puig is not ready, his place would probably be taken by Justin Ruggiano, who has delivered as a platoon outfielder against left-handed pitching since his trade-deadline acquisition.