Yasiel Puig out of Dodgers lineup, but injury not considered serious

DENVER – Yasiel Puig was out of Dodgers lineup Tuesday, but club officials were optimistic that the discomfort behind his right knee wasn’t anything serious.

“I think if this were a playoff game, Yasiel would try to play in it,� Manager Don Mattingly said.

Puig was removed from the Dodgers’ 10-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday because of stiffness in the top of his calf muscle. That part of the leg has been bothering him since the Dodgers visited Miami last month.

Puig didn’t undergo a MRI exam because the team didn’t think it was necessary.

With the Dodgers holding a 12 1/2-game lead in National League West, Mattingly wasn’t about to take any chances with Puig.

Mattingly said he was unlikely to use Puig in the outfield or as a pinch-runner Tuesday. If Puig plays, he is expected to do as a pinch-hitter.