Puig expects to be fine after missing ST opener
Dodgers scratch outfielder from lineup with hip tightness
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Outfielder Yasiel Puig was scratched from the starting lineup of the Dodgers' Cactus League opener on Friday against the White Sox with mild right hip discomfort.
Manager Dave Roberts said the issue is believed to be related to new shoes Puig began wearing this week.
Puig was able to participate in a full workout, including batting practice and outfield drills. He said he expects to start Saturday in the split-squad game against the Giants at Camelback Ranch.
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"I want to play against the Giants as many times as I can," Puig said. "I'll be fine. It was just tight in the weight room."
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Trayce Thompson replaced Puig in right field on Friday and went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
New ruling tested
The Dodgers encountered their first disputed mound visit in the fourth inning of Friday's exhibition game, which they won, 13-5.
Yoán Moncada grounded into a 3-6 forceout, Cody Bellinger catching Enrique Hernández's throw back to first too late to get Moncada. Pitcher Yaisel Sierra had broken toward first in the event he had to cover the bag. Bellinger, who caught the ball, returned it to Sierra and walked a few steps. Umpire Scott Barry, who was working the plate, ruled that it constituted a mound visit under the new pace-of-play rules.
Coincidentally, MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre had his annual Spring Training meeting planned with Dodgers officials after the game.
"I'm going to go meet with Joe Torre right now and get some clarity on this," Roberts said. "Even Scott Barry said that one visit when Cody walked with the pitcher, they said that's a mound visit, which doesn't make sense because it's a new hitter. So, I've got to get some clarity."
Large Font
Wilmer Font made the most of his start with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts.
"I used my fastball up and down," Font said. "I'm happy. I feel really good. Everything is going good in Spring Training and I have a pretty good chance. I have bullpen experience."
Gearing up
Kenley Jansen, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched live batting practice to teammates.
Jansen, who is on a reduced workload after last year's long season, had three strikeouts, allowed a home run to Henry Ramos and said he won't pitch in a Cactus League game until March 9.
Hill said he will probably start in five days. Roberts was uncertain when Ryu would make his first Cactus League start.
Injury updates
Left-handed reliever Tony Cingrani (left shoulder stiffness) played catch but did not throw a bullpen session.
Infielder Rob Segedin said he will be cleared for games beginning Wednesday after being on a measured buildup following offseason surgery to fuse two bones in his right wrist. He also had wrist and toe surgery last season.
Tough to match up
Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings, striking out two. He got three outs left-handed and two right-handed.
Free TV
Spectrum Networks has agreed to have KTLA5 broadcast five Dodgers games this season, two Friday night games and three on Saturday. KTLA5 will also air SportsNet LA's flagship pregame show -- Access SportsNet: Dodgers -- prior to every simulcast game. SportsNet LA and Dodgers games are exclusively available on Charter's Spectrum service and other distributors are not expected to carry SportsNet LA this season. The dates: March 30, 7:10 p.m. PT vs. Giants; April 7, 1:05 p.m. at Giants; April 13, 7:10 p.m. vs. D-backs; April 21, 6:10 p.m. vs. Nationals; April 28, 6:05 p.m. at Giants.
Up next
The Dodgers play split-squad games on Saturday. Non-roster right-hander Zach Neal will start against the Royals at Surprise, and Ross Stripling will start against the Giants at Camelback Ranch (both games scheduled for 12:05 p.m. PT, live on MLB.TV).