Yasiel Puig out; Matt Kemp back
By Mark Saxon | ESPNLosAngeles.com
LOS ANGELES -- Yasiel Puig was scratched from the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for Friday's home opener because he showed up late for batting practice.
The Dodgers hit on the field before Friday's 1:10 p.m. start, a rarity for a day game. Puig emerged from the Dodgers' clubhouse at 10:26 a.m., about halfway through. Traffic around the stadium -- exacerbated by Friday morning commuters -- was heavy.
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According to a team spokesman, Puig was unaware the team was hitting on the field. Often before day games, the Dodgers take batting practice in the indoor batting cages.
Puig's gaffe actually obscured another controversy involving a Dodgers outfielder. The new lineup had Matt Kemp playing center field and Andre Ethier moving to right. Before the switch, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly admitted that Kemp was upset about not starting. He was activated from the disabled list before the game.
Mattingly said the team will mix and match with its four outfielders. In spring training, Kemp said he wouldn't accept the role of fourth outfielder.
'At this point, I'm going to match up as best I can,' Mattingly said. 'You think about it a lot. With all our guys, I worry about them emotionally and what it does to them.'
Neither Kemp or Mattingly spoke with reporters after the lineup change. Asked to elaborate on Kemp's mood after being told he wasn't starting, Mattingly said, 'I think he was just upset.'
Puig was benched for one August game in Miami last season for violating a team rule and showing up late to the clubhouse. He later hit the decisive home run as a pinch hitter.
Kemp had left ankle surgery in October and missed the team's first five games. Kemp batted .113 in 53 at-bats in minor-league spring training games.
ESPNLosAngeles.com
Mark Saxon is a staff writer for ESPNLosAngeles.com. He spent six years at the Orange County Register, and began his career at the Oakland Tribune, where he started an 11-year journey covering Major League Baseball. He has also covered colleges, including USC football and UCLA basketball.
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