The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Max Muncy sustained a right wrist contusion when he was hit by a 94 mph fastball from San Diego Padres relief pitcher Matt Strahm in the fifth inning of the series finale at Petco Park.
Muncy walked slowly down the first-base line after being hit and was met there by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer. He went through initial testing on the field before being replaced by Jedd Gyorko.
It was the sixth time Muncy has been hit by a pitch this season, with three coming by way of a Padres pitcher, and two during the this week’s series at Petco Park.
Muncy was less than one week removed from avoiding serious injury when New York Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner slid hard into second base. Gardner collided with Muncy, who remained down on the ground as teammates huddled around him and a trainer checked on his status.
Muncy eventually rose to his feet and remained in the game, shaking off pain in his ankle. 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.
Muncy appearing to have avoided serious injury after being hit by a pitch not only impacts 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.
