Yasiel Puig is working on getting around on inside pitches. (Associated Press photo)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Yasiel Puig said Sunday that he’d be going back into the batting cage to work on what ailed him at the plate. Puig is hitting .127 in his last 15 games going into Tuesday’s tilt against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The old “keep working in the cage” line may be truthful, but it says very little. A moment on the field earlier today offered a brief glimpse into what Puig has been working on.

He and manager Dave Roberts spent a minute on the field, Roberts pointing at Puig’s left (front) hip then pantomiming a swing — no bat, no ball, just going through the motions. Puig’s issue, Roberts believes, is that he isn’t getting around on inside pitches. The solution isn’t just in the hips.

“He’s close to the plate, or has been close to the plate. He’s also closed himself off a lot,” Roberts said. “When you do that, it’s hard to get to an inside fastball. You’ve got two decisions: Either open up or get off the plate and give yourself more room. He’s been open to that.”

So what will Puig do: Back off the plate or open up his stance?

A little of both, Roberts said. “A combo.”

Roberts said of Puig “that with the mechanical (issue), with also chasing hits, that’s been a bad combo. His head’s clear now. We expect him to get better.”