Former All-Star Outfielder Says He Wants Another Chance in Baseball Despite Rocky History

Yasiel Puig, a former All-Star outfielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has dealt with his share of off-field issues, though he says he still wants another chance in the big leagues.

Cincinnati Reds right fielder Yasiel Puig reacts while crossing home after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in 2019. / Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images

Former All-Star outfielder Yasiel Puig reportedly wants another chance in the big leagues, despite not playing in the majors since 2019.

Per Hector Gomez on social, Puig said the following:

Yasiel Puig: "I hope one day @MLB can open up opportunities for me like they've opened up for others who have been suspended. Many will say things about me that aren't true, but I ask that you look at this: I've never been suspended for off-field reasons. I ask that justice be served one day. I will never give up".

It's unclear what exactly Puig is referring to, but he has dealt with multiple off-field issues over the last several years.

He was previously accused of sexual assault multiple times, settling those cases. He also had an issue involving an illegal sports gambling operation, to which he says he is not guilty.

Now 34 years old, Puig is a seven-year veteran of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians. He burst onto the scene in 2013, producing a 4.7 WAR in just 104 games for the Dodgers. He made the All-Star team the following year and had three straight years of 20 homers or more from 2017-2019.

A lifetime .277 hitter, Puig did not play in the COVID 2020 season, and then hasn't played since.

He spent the 2021 campaign in Mexico and went to Korea in 2022. He played Winter Ball in 2023-2024 before going back to Mexico for the summer of 2024.

He's currently playing for the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO and went 2-for-3 in his first game.

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