Dodgers Outfielder Yasiel Puig Apologizes To Mattingly, Teammates For Arriving Late To Home Opener
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) - Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig said after the game that he apologized to his teammates and Don Mattingly after arriving 20 minutes late to the ballpark, forcing him to sit the bench in the Dodgers' home opener.
"I'm sincerely sorry. It was my fault," he said. "I'll be here early tomorrow."
Puig understood the decision and apologized to each of his teammates individually.
"I didn't know the time was moved up in terms of batting practice and stretch time," said Puig. "Mattingly made the right decision in scratching me out of the line-up."
Mattingly said after the game that Puig would be available to pinch-hit but the opportunity never presented itself.
Matt Kemp, who made his season debut, was supposed to be the odd man out in the outfield but instead he started at center field due to the Cubans' tardiness.
Dodgers ended up losing 8-4 to the Giants.
This is not the first time Puig has been in trouble. The team had a private meeting with the 23-year old last month to help fix his wild play in the diamond.
Mattingly has not made a decision if Puig will start or not.
