Max Muncy is the only Dodgers position player still on the long injured list (let’s not discuss the pitchers; it’s a dire situation) after Jason Heyward returned to the starting lineup. With an oblique strain, Muncy was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 17. As has been the case with most of the Dodgers’ injuries this season, there have been setbacks along the path to Muncy’s return.
He was replaced by Miguel Vargas, who was making Triple-A batters seem like they belonged back in Rookie ball despite not making the 26-man roster on Opening Day. Vargas has managed to hold things down quite effectively; while hitting.231, he has a.901 OPS over five games because of a home run and two doubles Muncy’s power is still badly missed in the lineup.
Dave Roberts told Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times that Muncy was on a “slow program,” but he has been removed from all baseball-related duties after relocating to Camelback Ranch for recuperation, with the intention of making a few rehab appearances in the minor leagues. As hazy as ever, Roberts stated that Muncy should return “soon,” but he gave no further specific time frame.
Although Muncy was in a slump prior to his injury, it’s possible that he played through discomfort. Before formally entering the injured list, he had a.040 batting average in his previous seven games. Though his batting average might indicate otherwise, he went 7-40 through the month of May. However, on May 4, he had a three-homer night that brought back memories for fans of why he’s such an asset to the lineup.
The Dodgers, who trail only the Orioles and Yankees in home runs, are still in third place, but some of their best batters struggled during a five-game losing streak to the Reds and Diamondbacks. Though Shohei Ohtani ended his home run drought (which dated back to May 17) on Wednesday and Will Smith is heating up (having gone two home runs and collected three hits in LA’s most recent game against the Mets on Wednesday), Muncy’s nine home runs this season still rank him third among LA’s batters despite the slugger missing almost two weeks.
With a commanding sweep of the Mets this week, LA returned to winning ways; nonetheless, the bats must start to move more consistently. That will be made easier with Muncy back, but There’s still no obvious way back for him.
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