Arizona Fall League Opens; Yasiel Puig Sidelined with Elbow Infection

Yesterday the Dodgers released some bad news regarding top prospect Yasiel Puig who was scheduled to play in the Arizona Fall League. A non-MRSA staph infection in the back of his right elbow required surgical cleaning last month, and he will not be able to participate in Fall League play. His elbow should be healed in three to five weeks, and then he will begin to rehab at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. The infection is similar to the elbow infection that Casey Blake suffered back in 2011 which disabled him for a month during the season. Puig is expected to be in Major League camp for Spring Training.

Puig’s elbow infection did not respond to antibiotic treatment. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

The Dodgers signed the Cuban defector to a $42 million seven-year contract this summer. The 22-year old outfielder quickly was promoted to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Dodgers’ High Single-A affiliate. Combined with his 9 games in the Arizona Rookie League, Puig hit .354 with 5 homeruns, 15 RBIs, 8 stolen bases, and 20 runs.

Puig was supposed to play on the Mesa Solar Sox along with fellow Dodger prospects Eric Eadington, Onelki Garcia, Red Patterson, Chris Reed, Andres Santiago,

Yasiel Puig could get a call-up next season for the Dodgers. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

Gorman Erickson, Rafael Ynoa, and Joc Pederson.

Yesterday marked the Opening Day for the 20th anniversary season of the Arizona Fall League. Six Spring Training facilities will host six Arizona Fall League teams. The teams are the Mesa Solar Sox (Mesa Hohokam Stadium), Peoria Javelinas (Peoria Sports Complex), Phoenix Desert Dogs (Phoenix Municipal Stadium), Salt River Rafters (Salt River Fields at Talking Stick), Scottsdale Scorpions (Scottsdale Stadium), and the Surprise Saguaros (Surprise Stadium). The short schedule concludes on November 15th, and the Championship game will be on November 17th at Scottsdale Stadium. There is also a Rising Stars Game scheduled for November 3rd at Salt River Fields. The game which is akin to the All-Star game will showcase some of the top prospects in action.

Yesterday the Phoenix Desert Dogs beat the Scottsdale Scorpions 4-3, Peoria took the win 5-2 over Surprise, and the Salt River Rafters won their first game versus the Mesa Solar Sox 6-5.

For the complete Arizona Fall League schedule and standings look here.