Yasiel Puig returns to starting lineup for Dodgers vs. Reds

CINCINNATI -- The Dodgers open up a four-game series against the Reds in Cincinnati and will have Yasiel Puig back in the starting lineup two days after suffering a left hip flexor strain in Colorado. Puig is batting third, playing right field.

Dee Gordon, also dealing with hip discomfort, is not starting for the Dodgers for a second straight day. Adrian Gonzalez, in the midst of an 0-for-20 slump, also gets the day off at first base.

Puig left Saturday's game against the Rockies in the fifth inning with the hip injury and did not play on Sunday. Puig is hitting .335/.430/.591 with 11 home runs and 16 doubles in 57 games this season. He is 0-for-2 with two strikeouts and a walk against Reds starter Tony Cingrani.

No active Dodgers have a hit against Cingrani, though only five have even faced him. Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez are each 0-for-3 against the southpaw, while Andre Ethier and Tim Federowicz are both 0-for-2.

Jamie Romak, who Sunday made his first major league start, in right field, on Monday starts at first base in place of Gonzalez.

Chone Figgins gets the call at second base and at leadoff for the second straight day. His .397 on-base percentage ranks third on the team behind Puig and Monday's center fielder Scott Van Slyke. Though Figgins against left-handers this season is hitting only .211/.318/.263 in 22 plate appearances.