Yasiel Puig has been a more complete player since his May 9th return from the DL

There is almost nothing more entertaining in the game of baseball then Yasiel Puig when he is consistently hitting the ball and is focused at the plate. Over the past two months since making his return from the disabled list, Puig has been playing well in all aspects.

The 27-year-old — yes, he is still only 27 — hit his 10th homer of the year in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game, improving to .301/.363/.558 with 22 extra-base hits and 25 RBI since May 9. Puig has a hit in 30 of his 45 starts over that time and has 12 multi-hit games.

This is the Puig that the Dodgers needed last year and one they would be happy to rely on to bolster the bottom half of the lineup again this season.

Sure, the inexplicable TOOTBLAN still happens but his aggressive nature has also proven to work out for the Dodgers.

And his defense never fails to amaze, even when the team is up by 16 runs.

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Buehler is back?

Walker Buehler started a simulated game Sunday at Angel Stadium, throwing five innings in what could be his final tune-up before returning to a major league mound.

David Vassegh ~ AM 570

Manager Dave Roberts didn’t mention the day Buehler might be back but did say the young right-hander will start a game before the All-Star break. There are only seven more games before that occurs so Buehler will pitch next weekend against the Angels at Dodger Stadium.

Heating up

Kiké Hernandez is hitting second in the lineup for the Dodgers Sunday in the finale with the Angels. The most super of utility players has hit .301/.386/.658 over his last 23 games, with eight homers, two doubles and 10 walks in 84 plate appearances.

Hernandez has raised his OPS by 126 points over that timeframe, responding well to the more consistent playing time over the last two months.