Max Muncy to the Injured List: A Tough Blow for the Dodgers
Third baseman Max Muncy was diagnosed with a Grade 1 oblique strain and was placed on the injured list this Friday, representing a hard blow for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are in a complicated moment in the standings. Muncy was initially excluded from Wednesday’s lineup after feeling discomfort in his right side during pre-game batting practice. The Dodgers’ hope was that, after missing the last game at Angel Stadium and having additional rest on Thursday, Muncy could return for the crucial series against the San Diego Padres, their divisional rivals, who have taken the lead in the National League West. However, Muncy will miss this weekend’s series at Dodger Stadium, as well as the next series at San Diego’s Petco Park next week.Roberts doesn’t believe the current oblique injury is as serious as the one that forced Muncy to miss approximately two months last year, but even in the best-case scenario, the Dodgers could be without their third baseman and left-handed power hitter until mid-September. Muncy got off to a bad start this season, but then improved in mid-May, batting .312/.438/.616 with 11 home runs in a 41-game stretch. Then, Muncy injured his left knee during a shocking collision at third base and ended up missing most of July. He returned on August 4, batting 8-for-23 with four home runs in eight games, and is now out again, at a time when the reigning World Series champion could really use reinforcements. The Dodgers had a nine-game lead in the National League West on July 3rd and have since gone 12-21, falling one game behind a surging Padres team that arrived in Los Angeles after a five-game winning streak. As many as six high-leverage relievers reside on the Dodgers’ injured list, although three of them, Michael Kopech, Kirby Yates, and Tanner Scott, are nearing a return. Meanwhile, the offense has been mostly unproductive over the last six weeks, with a .708 OPS, which ranks 22nd in the Major Leagues. In the absence of Muncy, the Dodgers will use Alex Freeland, a switch-hitting rookie who is batting .176 in his first 12 games, and Buddy Kennedy, a right-handed infielder with a career batting average of .193. Other potential reinforcements such as Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim, and Enrique Hernandez remain on the injured list and are not close enough to return.I don’t think anyone expects this to end the season, but hopefully it’s as soon as possible.
Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager
It’s certainly a tough loss. I think the guys have to continue to perform to their capabilities. It’s tough to replace Max, meaning, as far as plate discipline, the slug, the walk, all of that. I feel good about our lineup, with the guys we have, and they just have to go out there and have good at-bats. That’s all we can do at this point.
Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager
