Dodgers make several roster moves, activate Yasiel Puig

The Dodgers optioned Alex Verdugo Wednesday to make room for Yasiel Puig as he returns from the 10-day disabled list. Puig, who will make the start in right field and bat seventh in the series finale with the Diamondbacks, missed nine games due to a left hip contusion.

Verdugo appeared in all nine of those games, batting .265 (9-for-34) with three runs, four doubles and one RBI. The 21-year-old will head back to Triple-A due to the roster crunch in the outfield.

Puig isn’t the only one the Dodgers brought back Wednesday. The team also recalled left-handed reliever Scott Alexander and right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart from Oklahoma City. To create room on the active roster, the Dodgers placed left-handed reliever Tony Cingrani on the 10-day DL and optioned right-hander Yimi García back to the minors.

Alexander struggled earlier this season, allowing eight runs in 11 ¹⁄₃ innings while giving up nine walks and 12 hits to the 51 batters he faced. While in Oklahoma City, Alexander pitched four scoreless innings.

Cingrani goes to the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation after dealing with it over the last week. In 18 games this season, he has gone 0-2 with a 5.79 ERA and has struck out 22 batters against just four walks.

Getting Closer

A pair of Dodgers took the next step in the rehab process on Wednesday. Justin Turner hit in a simulated game batting practice and Clayton Kershaw played catch for the first time since Saturday.

There is still no timetable for either to return but Turner said he hopes to return to the Dodgers by next weekend when the team is Washington.