The Dodgers placed Max Muncy on the injured list Friday night, dealing another blow to their lineup ahead of this weekend’s series against the Padres. The third baseman’s been dealing with soreness in his right side since Wednesday’s batting practice.
It’s a Grade 1 oblique strain on his right side, but the injury isn’t expected to be season-ending, according to David Vassegh.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Los Angeles. Muncy had just returned from missing over a month with a left knee injury and had appeared in only eight games since coming back.
What makes this particularly tough is how much the Dodgers rely on Muncy’s production. Despite playing in just 89 of the team’s 121 games this season, he’s been one of their most impactful players.
The numbers tell the story. Los Angeles averages 5.79 runs per game when Muncy’s in the lineup compared to just 3.47 runs per game without him, according to Noah Camras.
That’s not surprising when you look at his production. Muncy’s slashing .258/.398/.482 with an .880 OPS this year, along with 17 home runs and 64 RBI. His OPS+ of 145 would be his best output since 2018.
Now the Dodgers are dealing with injuries to Muncy, Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim and Kiké Hernandez. While their top-of-the-lineup guys are still healthy, the depth is getting tested at a crucial time.
The good news? Manager Dave Roberts expects Muncy to return sometime this season. But for now, they’ll need their remaining stars to step up if they want to regain control of the NL West race.
