MIAMI — The Dodgers are starting to talk about Juan Uribe in terms of Gold Glove Award consideration.
His defense has been stellar, as he has only three errors and a .985 fielding percentage, trailing only Placido Polanco for top fielding percentage by a National League third baseman this year.
The biggest thing going against Uribe is that he spent much of the first two months of the season sharing time at third base with Luis Cruz until Cruz was released. Uribe has played in 100 games, including 92 at third, entering Tuesday.
The Gold Glove for an NL third baseman has gone to a different player each of the last five years — David Wright (2008), Ryan Zimmerman (’09), Scott Rolen (’10), Polanco (’11) and Chase Headley (’12).
While it should have no bearing on a defensive award, Uribe isn’t hurting his chances of recognition by having a solid comeback with the bat. With three hits Monday night, his average is up to .281, second on the club to only Adrian Gonzalez (.295) for players who have been on the 25-man roster all season.
Puig out of Dodgers lineup, fined for being late
MIAMI — Outfielder Yasiel Puig was not in the starting lineup Tuesday and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly wasn’t able to tell him before posting it because Puig arrived roughly 30 minutes late to Marlins Park, drawing a fine.
Mattingly said the decision not to start Puig was the result of the rookie’s recent slump (0-for-11, 3-for-23) and was made before Puig was late.
“Today’s a baseball day,” Mattingly said of the lineup decision. “I know you’ll make more of it. It’s hard to take him out of the lineup. I felt like this was the right time, the way he’s going. I look at it as a one-day thing.”
Mattingly also downplayed Puig’s late arrival. Players are required to be in the clubhouse by the time the second of two buses leaves the team hotel, even if the player is not staying at the team hotel. Puig has a home in the Miami area and has stayed there during this visit.
“I was satisfied with his answer; he’s just got to leave earlier,” said Mattingly. “Caught in traffic, that’s fine, get here earlier. He was at his house, he left late enough to make it too close. He’s not the first guy. There’s more than two or three.”
Puig met with Mattingly for 10 minutes after arriving and dressing. Mattingly said he fined Puig, which they discussed, as well as the reasoning for the day off.
“I have to pay closer attention to giving him a day,” Mattingly said. “His motor is always going.”
Puig has come under increasing scrutiny as his offense has tailed off, his mistakes in the field and on the bases are repeated and his emotions have begun to show. Monday, he shocked members of the Cuban-American media with his conduct before and during a news conference.
In the matchup against fellow Cuban Jose Fernandez, Puig struck out and gave a look at home-plate umpire John Hirschbeck, who snapped at the outfielder. Puig then threw a tantrum in the dugout and had to be ushered out of sight by teammate Juan Uribe
“That’s just the emotional part of the game, the way the guy plays,” said Mattingly in defense of Puig. “I don’t want to take the emotion. I like the energy. It’s good to see. We just have to protect him from the umpires.
“It’s part of his learning process for umpires, too. He did it in Philly too, looking back at the umpire, and they take offense to that. You don’t want the umpires — they’ll talk and then any call that’s close you’re not going to get. I want him to learn the umpire language. There’s a way to talk and act. It’s all part of his maturing process. You can’t do it overnight.”
Kemp rests ankle, won’t return until September
MIAMI — One day after testing his sprained left ankle by making modest turns, outfielder Matt Kemp, who’s on the 15-day disabled list, had a scheduled day of rest Tuesday, while Dodgers manager Don Mattingly conceded Kemp won’t return until next month.
“September would be the best-case scenario for Matt,” said Mattingly.
Kemp’s injury, which the club originally believed wouldn’t put him on the DL, instead has sidelined him a month.
With the Minor League season ending the first week of September, that also means it’s less likely Kemp will play in an actual rehab assignment.