If the Los Angeles Dodgers were hoping to see Yasiel Puig regain his production at the plate in Triple-A in time for a pennant chase, mission accomplished. Puig could be heading back to the Dodgers as early as this weekend.
Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports the club is expected to bring Puig back up to the big leagues this weekend as they prepare to take on the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers are expected to recall Yasiel Puig this weekend, according to people familiar with the situation.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) September 2, 2016
The timing makes sense too. The calendar just flipped to September, meaning major-league teams can expand their rosters to bring up more minor-league prospects. It helps that Puig has been tearing it up at Triple-A Oklahoma City since being sent down a level. To his credit, Puig appears to have embraced the opportunity to get back on track as well, and he has previously said he is focused on making sure he is ready when the time comes for the Dodgers to give him another chance.
What is unknown is what kind of a role Puig will play. It is not likely he slides right back into the starting lineup right away, but once he is back with the team it will not take long to give him a chance to see what he can do after some time away.
A confident Puig for the stretch run? That sounds like good news for the Dodgers.