The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced concerning injury news ahead of their matchup with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, as third baseman Max Muncy will be placed on the injured list due to a right oblique strain, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
This news comes just as the Dodgers were welcoming outfielder Jason Heyward back from his own injury, highlighting the unfortunate timing for the team.
In addition to these changes, the Dodgers were also in the process of calling up top prospect Miguel Vargas, requiring them to open two roster spots for both Heyward and Vargas. There were speculations that the club might designate utility man Chris Taylor for assignment, but Muncy’s injury made the decision easier.
Ultimately, the Dodgers decided to option outfielder James Outman and relief pitcher Nick Ramirez. They activated Heyward and officially called up Vargas and pitcher Ricky Vanasco, as reported by Ardaya.
Before his injury, Muncy was hitting .223/.323/.475 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs over 167 plate appearances. However, he was in the midst of a slump, going 1-for-25 and failing to hit a home run in his last seven games.
Despite his struggles at the plate, Muncy is a significant contributor to the Dodgers’ potent offense. Though his career batting average is .227 and he is prone to strikeouts, his power and ability to drive in runs are vital to the team’s success.
Muncy began his career with the Oakland Athletics in 2015 but was released in 2017 after struggling in his initial seasons. He then signed with the Dodgers as a free agent in April 2017 and has been a key player ever since.
He debuted for LA in 2018, posting a .263/.391/.582 slash line with 35 home runs and 79 RBIs. The following year, he made the All-Star team with a .251/.374/.515 line, 35 homers, and 98 RBIs.
After a down season in the pandemic-shortened 2020, Muncy rebounded in 2021, hitting .249/.368/.527 with 36 home runs and 94 RBIs, earning another All-Star selection. However, his contact rate has declined in recent years, batting .196 in 2022 and .212 last season, though he still hit 36 home runs and had a career-high 101 RBIs in 2023.
While Muncy may be showing signs of decline at 33, his power remains a crucial asset for the Dodgers. This season, Los Angeles is second in the majors in batting average, first in OPS, third in home runs, and first in runs scored, with Muncy playing a significant role in those numbers.
The Dodgers started the season 12-11, a slow start given their high-profile additions of Shohei Ohtani and Japanese pitching star Yoshinobu Yamamoto in free agency. However, they have since improved to 17-6, boasting a 29-17 record overall.
Currently, the Dodgers are in first place in the NL West with a seven-game lead over the San Diego Padres heading into Friday’s game.
