Yasiel Puig Injury: Updates on Dodgers Star's Hand and Return

Updates from Friday, July 25

Alanna Rizzo of Dodgers.com has the latest on Puig:

Updates from Thursday, July 24

Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported on Yasiel Puig's recovery from an injured hand:

"

Dodgers All-Star outfielder Yasiel Puig took extra batting practice Wednesday and could return to the lineup Friday night when the Dodgers open a showdown series in San Francisco.

(...)

Mattingly said he was more optimistic Puig could return to the lineup on Friday than he was for shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who missed his third start since being hit on the left hand by a pitch fromTrevor Rosenthal.

"

Updates from Wednesday, July 23

While Yasiel Puig didn't start on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he did end up playing according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

He ended up walking.

Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times previously reported Puig's status ahead of tonight's game against the Pirates: 

Updates from Tuesday, July 22

Yasiel Puig remains out of the Dodgers' lineup, according to MLB Lineups:

Ken Gurnick of MLB.com provides an update on Puig's status:

Updates from Monday, July 21

Yasiel Puig's follow up x-ray results are in according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register: 

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times confirms Yasiel Puig's status for tonight's game:

Plunkett previously provided an update on Puig's hand injury:

"

Puig was hit during Saturday’s loss and left the game. A fluoroscan after the game showed no fracture but the Dodgers want Puig to undergo more complete X-rays when the team gets to Pittsburgh on Monday. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he was told by head trainer Stan Conte 'no baseball stuff' for Puig until after the second examination.

'We’re obviously going to be cautious,' Mattingly said. 'But we think it’s going to be okay.'

"

Original Text

Yasiel Puig isn't in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals, a day after getting hit in the hand with a pitch.     

Los Angeles unveiled its lineup for Sunday's game, and the 2014 MLB All-Star was absent, as per MLBLineups on Twitter:

The X-rays on Puig's injured hand came back negative, which is good news for the Dodgers, as per J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group:

You can view how the injury occurred on MLB.com. Puig didn't look to be in a massive amount of pain but was removed from the game in the eighth inning as more of a precaution.

The fact that his X-ray didn't show any breaks is an encouraging sign. That would have meant weeks and likely months of recovery. Instead, his time off the field will likely be kept to a minimum as he heals.

That's important for the Dodgers as they try to get ahead of the San Francisco Giants in the National League West once again. Heading into Sunday's game, Los Angeles was a half-game back.