The Los Angeles Dodgers entered a crucial series against the San Diego Padres without Max Muncy available due to landing on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right oblique strain.
Buddy Kennedy, who was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, took Muncy’s spot on the active roster.
The latest injury for the Dodgers is a sizable blow for a team that already had been scuffling for more than a month. It’s coincided with the Padres going on a hot stretch that vaulted them to the top of the National League West standings.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, the injury is not expected to put Muncy’s 2025 season in jeopardy. He instead is considered week-to-week with a recovery plan consisting treatment and rest.
“You kind of take it week-to-week and see when he can start baseball activities again to get him back,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But I don’t think anyone expects it to be season-ending. But hopefully it’s sooner than later.”
Muncy’s oblique issue began ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, as he was scratched from the lineup because of what initially was deemed to be soreness in his right side.
A right oblique strain is the same injury that kept Muncy out for three months last season, but the Grade 1 is less severe comparatively.
“I think it was on the right side, but it was more of a bigger area, not just really focused in one little spot. So that kind of led to the the MRI, and just to get a scan of it,” Roberts noted.
“But from what I hear, it’s not as bad as it was last year. I think a similar feeling, but a little bit less, a little bit more on the mild side.”
Dodgers’ third base plan without Max Muncy
In Muncy’s absence, the Dodgers will be relying on a combination of Kennedy and prospect Alex Freeland, who has already logged some innings for them at the position this season.
“We’re going to play Kennedy over there a little bit. We’ll play Freeland over there a little bit, and they’ll split time,” Roberts said.
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