Yasiel Puig to play in Mexican League with Veracruz

Yasiel Puig is reportedly heading to Mexico to continue his playing career. 

Yasiel Puig is having a tough time getting back into MLB. The 30-year-old last played with the Cleveland Indians in 2019 and reportedly had a deal with the Atlanta Braves in 2020 that fell through because of a positive COVID-19 test.

He remains without a team and some sexual assault allegations against him are likely playing a big part in that.

But Puig has found a place to continue his career. That place is Veracruz, Mexico. Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes had the report.

Yasiel Puig headed to Mexico

Puig is now heading to the Mexican League as he awaits another shot in MLB. This at least provides him an opportunity to prove he can still play at a high level. He had a positive-WAR season, so it’s not like he has suffered some major decline in abilities.

2020 was a weird year, and a positive COVID-19 test during an already shortened season doomed his chances of playing. Now he has these sexual assault allegations against him. Teams are not going to hand him any contract until those are cleared up.

Thus, he’ll be taking the field in Veracruz. He joins a team that is technically an expansion club after moving out of the city a few years back. This comes after the entire league was forced to cancel its 2020 season due to the pandemic.

Puig has a WAR of 18.5 in seven career seasons and owns a career OPS of .823. His new team is getting a big name and that is great news for the league. But he is surely seeking a return to MLB at some point.