The Los Angeles Dodgers are moving toward having a complete roster as several of their injured players have made notable progress over recent days and weeks.
Holding on to a slim lead in the National League West standings, the Dodgers playing with a lesser-than-stellar lineup has resulted in a downward trend in usual offensive production.
The trade deadline was about acquiring pieces on the margins to elevate the lineup and supplement the rest of the star talent on their roster. Mookie Betts will join the team at the start of their road trip, and according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Max Muncy and Tommy Edman aren’t far behind.
“I think it’s coming along well,” Roberts said. “They’re taking at-bats, they’re playing defense, they’re running the bases and all that stuff. So I’m encouraged. Mookie is still on track to join us on Monday, C.T. is probably a couple weeks behind.
Tommy and Max just went on rehab, they left today, and they’ll start playing games with OKC tomorrow. I’m hopeful that in a week, we’ll get both of those guys back, week or so, something like that. And yesterday, Walker just kind of on the rehab front. Walker was good yesterday and got into the sixth inning, which was really good to see the performance, the stuff. All that was lined up. So to imagine him making a start for us in Milwaukee seems feasible. So we’re trending.”
Muncy hasn’t appeared in a game since May 15, and when he returns, he’ll have missed over three months. Prior to going down with the right oblique injury, the 33-year-old batted .223/.323/.475 with a 118 wRC+ in 167 plate appearances.
Edman and Muncy beginning their rehab assignments with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday lays out a roadmap to have the pair with the Dodgers in the next week-plus.
How pivotal are Max Muncy & Tommy Edman for Dodgers?
Muncy’s power is among the best in Major League Baseball, and Edman is a Gold-Glove caliber defender and switch-hitting bat, that should allow the Dodgers to find some regularity in their lineup.
Roberts has struggled to field consistent lineups this season because of the poor play of many options who have filled the role Muncy left. Edman was acquired in a three-team trade to be a stabilizing answer for who to play in center field and possibly some shortstop.
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