June 03--Lingering soreness in his left hamstring kept Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig out of the lineup for the third consecutive day. Manager Dave Roberts indicated Puig is not considered a candidate for the disabled list. Puig appeared late in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Cubs as a pinch-hitter.
Roberts referred to the extended rest for Puig as precautionary. Puig was limited to 79 games last season because of injuries to both of his hamstrings.
"With the issues that he's had in the past, with where he's at and where we're at in this season, it doesn't make any sense to put him in," Roberts said. "I know he was hoping to try to give it a go. But for me, sometimes you have to take it out of the player's hands."
Roberts also hoped the days off could help clear Puig's mind. Puig has hit .237 this season with a career-worst .643 on-base plus slugging percentage. He has yet to counteract opposing pitchers who pound him inside with fastballs and fool him with off-speed pitches away.
With Puig ailing, Roberts explained, the team could activate outfielder Scott Van Slyke on Friday at Dodger Stadium. Van Slyke has been on a rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Oklahoma City. He injured his lower back in the first week of the season and has not played for the Dodgers since April 9.
Kershaw honored
After an impeccable May, Clayton Kershaw was voted National League pitcher of the month. He went 5-0 with an 0.91 earned-run average, threw three shutouts and allowed two walks. He struck out 10 batters in five of his six starts. In the sixth, he tossed a two-hit shutout.
Short hops
Kenta Maeda flew to Los Angeles before the team Thursday to be prepared for his start Friday at Dodger Stadium. Maeda was given an extra day of rest after getting hit on his right hand by a line drive Saturday.
Andy.mccullough@latimes.com
Twitter: @McCulloughTimes
