Yasiel Puig Sidelined By Right Knee Strain
DENVER (CBSLA.com/AP) — Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is out of the starting lineup a day after he aggravated a right knee strain.
Puig was slated to take batting practice before Tuesday night's game at Colorado, but manager Don Mattingly said the Cuban slugger probably will not play against the Rockies.
"I'm not going to run him out there till he's ready, `til he's feeling he's going to be able to play full speed because he's not really a guy that plays half speed very well," Mattingly said. "Once he gets out there and feels like he can turn it loose, then we'll turn him loose."
Puig is batting .351 with 14 homers and 32 RBIs in 80 games in his first season in the majors. He remains day to day.
Also Tuesday, outfielder Matt Kemp, who has been on the disabled list since July 22 with a left ankle sprain, traveled to the Dodgers' complex in Arizona to get in some concentrated hitting work in a series of simulated games over the next several days.
Mattingly said the Dodgers are pleased with where Kemp is physically. He just needs to work on his timing at the plate.
"The ankle seems to be holding up fine, everything seems to be holding up fine," Mattingly said. "He hasn't had any problem with his shoulder or anything else, so health-wise we feel good. It's just trying to help him get his timing."
Kemp has spent time on the disabled list on two other occasions this season because of a left shoulder injury and right hamstring strain.
Recent acquisition Michael Young is expected to start at third base on Tuesday against the Rockies.
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