Perhaps the biggest surprise not only on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster this season, but in all of baseball, has been the emergence of Max Muncy.
Muncy, who was released by the Oakland Athletics after the 2016 season, was called up by the Dodgers early in April and has gone on to lead the team in home runs. He is batting .265/.408/.612 with 17 long balls and 35 RBI in just 59 games.
For the first time in quite some time, Muncy got a day night off against Colorado Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson on Friday in the series opener at Dodger Stadium.
But there may have also been extra incentive to sit arguably the team’s most consistent performer. According to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Muncy is dealing with some hip trouble:
Max Muncy received a day off as the Dodgers faced Colorado left-hander Tyler Anderson. Roberts expected Muncy to start Saturday, although he revealed Muncy is dealing with “a little hip thing that he’s just managed.”
The injury isn’t believed to be serious, and Muncy was even able to pinch-hit in the loss to the Rockies, flying out to center field off Anderson in the eighth inning.
The Dodgers offense struggling with Muncy out of the lineup on Friday night is no coincidence. He has been a catalyst for the offense in recent weeks, slugging 10 home runs in the month of June alone.
Muncy and Joc Pederson are the first pair of Dodgers teammates ever to hit 10 home runs in the same month.
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