Dodgers remove Puig mid-game
Despite hitting at a .346 clip, Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig was yanked before the fifth inning from Los Angeles' 4-0 win against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday for disciplinary reasons.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly would not explain the reasoning, saying that he wanted to keep the specifics "in-house." Mattingly did say that he inserted Skip Schumaker into the game because he gave the Dodgers "the best chance to win," before adding: "I love these guys. I love all my players and I see the good in all of them, and it's my responsibility, I feel like, to give us the best chance to win and make decisions based on what's best for the whole team."
In the first inning Wednesday, Puig failed to slide in an attempt to break up a double play. After striking out in the third inning, he slammed his bat to the ground. He also made a couple of nonchalant one-handed catches in the fourth inning.
"I wasn't prepared well for each pitch. It was a good decision," Puig said through a translator about being removed.
After the game, Puig, Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti met in Mattingly's office for 30 minutes.
"I wanted to finish the game, but I agreed with the explanation," Puig said. "The meeting went well. We talked about what every player needs to do to prepare for every pitch."
Ricky Nolasco, who started for the Dodgers and struck out 11 in an eight-inning gem, said, "We know him a bit different (than) the media, but today what he was doing wasn't acceptable. Skip thought it was the best decision to (take him out), and we're gonna agree. As long as he learns from it."
