Muncy Out at the Last Minute Due to Pain, Betts to the Rescue for Dodgers

Mookie Betts returns to the Dodgers’ lineup after Muncy’s injury

Anaheim, California – Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts was originally scheduled for a day off on Wednesday. However, plans changed due to a last-minute injury to Max Muncy. Muncy, who felt discomfort in his right side during batting practice before the game against the Angels, was removed from the lineup. This led to Betts being reinstated to the team for the last game of the three-game series at Angel Stadium. Rookie Alex Freeland took over at third base. The expectation is that Muncy will recover in time to join the Dodgers for the weekend series against the Padres.

On the other hand, right-handed reliever Brock Stewart will not be available for the series. Stewart was placed on the injured list on Tuesday due to shoulder inflammation. Although tests did not reveal structural damage, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that his return will take a few weeks.

It’s the best possible scenario

Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

Roberts described the results as the “best-case scenario” for a bullpen that currently has several key pitchers on the injured list, including Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott, Michael Kopech, and Brusdar Graterol. Three of these pitchers are close to returning. Yates threw to batters on Wednesday, Kopech will start a rehab assignment on Thursday and Scott is expected to participate in a simulated game over the weekend. Stewart, who will be inactive for a week, is expected to return in early September. However, Roberts noted that there is a “small, small chance” that Graterol will recover from shoulder surgery in time to influence the final stretch of the season.