LOS ANGELES -- On the day of one of their most-anticipated debuts in years, the Los Angeles Dodgers put another key player on the 15-day disabled list. It's been that kind of season in Chavez Ravine.
The Dodgers started top outfield prospect Yasiel Puig in right field and in the leadoff spot for Monday night's game against the San Diego Padres and put Carl Crawford, the team's everyday leadoff hitter, on the DL with a strained left hamstring.
The Dodgers also scratched their starting pitcher for the second game in a row. Hyun-Jin Ryu missed Sunday's game in Colorado with a bone bruise on his foot and Chris Capuano was scratched Monday with a strained left forearm. Capuano was replaced by Stephen Fife, who was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to make the start.
The Dodgers have used the DL 17 times this season, most in the majors. Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez and A.J. Ellis already are on the DL, though Ramirez is expected back Tuesday. Two of their five projected starting pitchers, Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley, also are out.
Crawford, batting .301 with a team-high 32 runs and nine stolen bases, left Saturday's game with a hamstring cramp.
"With Carl, they thought it was going to be a couple days," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "After seeing the MRI today, they thought it was going to be a couple of weeks."
Capuano was sent for and MRI Monday, but Mattingly said he anticipates him making his next scheduled start on Saturday. He also said Ryu likely will pitch Friday.
