Dodgers Leave Yasiel Puig Behind As They Head To Colorado

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig did not travel with the team as they made their way to Colorado on Monday for a three-game series against the Rockies in Denver that begins Tuesday.

Dodgers Leave Yasiel Puig Behind As They Head To Colorado

The 25-year-old Cuban was told by the Dodgers not to accompany the club because he was going to be either traded or sent to the minors.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports News reported that Puig “stormed off” shortly after arriving at Dodger Stadium on Monday. However, Puig’s agent, Adam Katz, and team officials later said that report was inaccurate, and that the outfielder was not at the park on Monday.

“I’m told he never went to the park,” Katz said. “The club informed me and the player understood clearly that they were making every effort to trade him and that if they were unable to come to terms with another club on a trade — and successful in acquiring another outfielder — that he likely would be demoted. My understanding is that transaction will happen tomorrow.”

Rosenthal apologized on Twitter for his mistake.

Puig forgave Rosenthal for the inaccurate report, nonetheless.

Other reports made similar though not identical claims about Puig’s status with the Dodgers and about him not departing with them for Denver.

Puig was not traded before the trade deadline, which was 3.pm. ET on Monday. However, it remains unclear what Puig’s future with the Dodgers organization holds. According to Rosenthal, a trade could still occur, likely involving Oakland A’s right fielder Josh Reddick. 

Ironically, despite rumors it appear Puig was not set to be traded, according to Dodgers chairman Mark Walter

Puig recently missed a week with a hamstring issue, but appeared as a pinch-hitter on Friday and played the entire game Sunday, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

A strained left hamstring sidelined him from June 3 to 21, but since coming off the disabled list Puig has batted .308 with an .830 OPS.

For the season, Puig is batting .260 with seven homers and a .706 OPS. His OPS has declined in each season since his rookie year in 2015. There is no update on his whereabouts.

The Dodgers will face the Rockies for 3-games on the road, before returning to L.A. for a long home stand at Dodger Stadium.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 22: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to his inside the park homerun to win the game 4-3 over the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)