Joc Pederson out of Dodgers lineup for second consecutive day

Joc Pederson won’t be in the Dodgers lineup again Saturday, as Manager Don Mattingly said he wanted to give the slumping rookie center fielder a mental break.

Pederson also didn’t play the previous day in the series opener against the Angels.

“As much as anything, he gets a chance to watch the game,” Mattingly said. “A lot of times ... you see so much more when you don’t have to try to perform. It’s just a day to let everything calm down. He’s able to do some work and not try to use it right away.”

Pederson batted only .169 with one home run and five RBIs in 23 games in July. He has struck out 18 times in 54 plate appearances since the All-Star break and was dropped from the leadoff spot in the Dodgers lineup this week.
“Sometimes you can’t see the forest from the trees,” Mattingly said. “You get too close to it; you don’t really get to see the big picture. I just want him to see the big picture.”

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