Former Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig was struck in the face pretty hard during a brawl in the middle of a game Wednesday in Venezuela. It looked to be a tough hit on Puig, but he didn't flinch after it happened.
The 33-year-old outfielder is playing for the Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. For Dodger fans, the viral clip might have looked familiar.
Whether it was a memorable 2013 fracas between the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks, or a verbal spar with San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner that cleared both benches, Puig seemed to find himself in extracurricular activities on the field whether he initiated them or not.
In 2019, Puig was suspended three games for his role in a brawl between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. Puig was playing for the Reds at the time it happened.
Wherever he's played, Puig has brought the energy with him – and fans have eaten it up. The 2019 season was Puig's last in MLB. He has been looking to return ever since.
Earlier this offseason, reports indicated a few teams had interest in signing him, but nothing has come to fruition. Puig played 18 games in the Dominican Winter League, slashing .250/.308/.333 for Estrellas Orientales. After transferring to Venezuela, Puig turned heads with 10 home runs in 26 games. He's hit five more in the Venezuelan postseason.
Puig finished the 2019 season in Cleveland after being traded from Cincinnati. He slashed .297/.377/.423 with a .800 OPS and 109 OPS+, enough to earn a look from the Atlanta Braves as a free agent in 2020. However, a positive COVID-19 test scuttled the deal before it could come to fruition.
Puig's off-the-field behavior hasn't always helped his chances of returning to MLB. He was connected to an alleged sports gambling operation, pleading guilty to one count of obstruction of justice, but withdrew the plea soon after.
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