You didn’t think the Los Angeles Dodgers would head into the offseason without one more Yasiel Puig controversy, did you?
The polarizing outfielder had a terribly disappointing National League Division Series, as the Dodgers were bounced in four games by the St. Louis Cardinals. Puig’s struggles culminated with Dodgers manager Don Mattingly benching the star outfielder in a do-or-die Game 4 that ended the team’s season.
Puig’s miserable series at the plate — 3-for-12 with eight strikeouts — may not have been the only reason for his benching. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Friday that Dodgers players and coaches were unhappy with a perceived lack of effort from Puig.
“Puig, 23, angered some teammates and coaches throughout the series with his occasional lack of focus and effort in center field, according to sources with knowledge of the situation,” Rosenthal reported for FOXSports.com.
According to Rosenthal, one of the things that upset the Dodgers most was Puig’s lack of hustle during Game 3 in St. Louis. The outfielder jogged after a fly ball into shallow left-center but was bailed out as Hanley Ramirez made a sensational over-the-shoulder catch.
It’s unclear whether the perceived lack of hustle and effort contributed to Puig being benched for Game 4.
Thumbnail photo via Lance Iverson/USA TODAY Sports Images
