Indians' Yasiel Puig will return from suspension as a U.S. citizen

When Yasiel Puig returns to the Cleveland Indians, he’ll do so as an American citizen.

Puig spent the final day of his three-day suspension getting his citizenship. He shared the photo Wednesday, a day before he’ll be reinstated for the Indians’ series at the New York Yankees. It was his 2,000th Instagram post.

He is the fourth Indians player to earn his citizenship this year, noted The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, joining Carlos Santana, Hanley Ramirez and Oliver Perez. Puig defected from Cuba in 2012.

Puig lost an appeal of the three-game suspension stemming from his involvement in a brawl while he was with the Cincinnati Reds. It was therefore pushed back and served this week while the Indians were playing the Boston Red Sox.

The outfielder was involved in the fracas as he was traded from the Reds to the Indians in a three-team deal. The news broke in the eighth inning and he was back on the field in the ninth, when it happened.

Puig, 28, is batting .263/.313/.484 this season with 23 home runs and 67 RBIs. He has one home run and six RBI in 11 games with the Indians so far.

Cleveland Indians' Yasiel Puig celebrates his home run against the Minnesota Twins in a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Cleveland Indians' Yasiel Puig celebrated his status as a U.S. citizen Wednesday. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

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