UPDATE (Aug. 28, 8:55 p.m. PT): The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Max Muncy sustained a right wrist contusion as a result of being hit by a pitch.
With the Los Angeles Dodgers expecting a wave of players to return once active rosters expand in September, they could be facing a potential injury with Max Muncy. He was hit in the right wrist/forearm area by a 94 mph fastball from Matt Strahm and removed in the fifth inning.
Muncy’s facial expression made it evident he was experiencing significant pain and so did his body language as he held the bat and walked slowly down the first-base line. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer rushed out to check on Muncy.
Muncy remained in a crouch at first base as he went through preliminary pressure-point testing and was immediately replaced by Jedd Gyorko. It marked a sixth time this season Muncy had been hit by pitch, with three of those by Padres pitchers, and two in the current series.
He’s less than one week removed from avoiding serious injury when New York Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner slid hard into second base. Gardner upended Muncy, who remained down on the ground as teammates huddled around him.
Muncy eventually rose to his feet and remained in the game. He later admitted to doing a bit of a selling job, similar to what’s often seen from professional soccer players.
The sequence was part of some controversy as Gleyber Torres attempted to break for home plate to score the game-tying run. The umpires ruled the Dodgers had been granted time, and Torres was instructed to return to third base. Kenley Jansen wound up striking out the next two batters to end the game.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested the team would explore a potential protest, and while that never came to be, MLB informed them the Dodgers incorrectly were given time on the play.
If Muncy suffered a serious injury after being hit by a pitch, it not only would impact the Dodgers in the postseason but perhaps the immediate future as well. Roberts confirmed top prospect Gavin Lux is essentially a lock to join the club at some point in September.
However, Roberts added the Dodgers have not yet decided if Lux will be added to their active roster or if he will simply be on hand to apprentice, much like Will Smith did last season. Should Muncy face a long recovery, Lux could help fill the void at second base.
Muncy went into Wednesday’s game at Petco Park batting .255/.375/.527 with 19 doubles, 33 home runs and 87 RBI. He went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts prior to his early exit.
