JOSEPH WHITE
AP Sports Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Yasiel Puig was understandably sore Monday as he recovered from a jarring crash into an outfield wall, keeping him out of the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ series opener against the Washington Nationals.
Manager Don Mattingly said Puig remained day-to-day and could possibly make an appearance as a pinch hitter.
“He’s not feeling perfect,” Mattingly said. “Really sore, things like that.”
Puig rammed his head, left arm and lower left leg against the fence as he tried to track down Jeff Baker’s game-winning double in the bottom of the ninth of Sunday’s 5-4 loss at Miami. The ball deflected off the wall and hit Puig in the face, and he fell to the ground on his stomach.
Mattingly declined to say directly whether a concussion has been ruled out, saying only: “I haven’t heard anything about concussion.” Puig passed a concussion test after the game Sunday, but he did not take batting practice before Monday’s game. The Dodgers did not make him available to speak to reporters.
“I know we’re going to be cautious,” Mattingly said.
Andre Ethier started in right field in Puig’s spot.
Also Monday, the Dodgers recalled right-handed pitcher Pedro Baez from Double-A Chattanooga and optioned right-hander Stephen Fife to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Fife was called up to pitch Sunday’s game to start for left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was sidelined with a sore shoulder.
Mattingly said Ryu saw a doctor Monday. No MRI was needed, and Ryu can resume throwing Tuesday.
“Sounds like he’s pain-free,” Mattingly said.
Baez was making his first appearance on the Dodgers’ active roster, and it’s expected to be a short one: Ace Clayton Kershaw (strained back) is scheduled to come off the disabled list Tuesday and start the second game of the series.
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