As the Los Angeles Dodgers were looking to force a Game 163 that would decide the National League West, Max Muncy sustained a left elbow injury that ultimately kept him out the entire postseason.
Upon being left off the active roster for the Wild Card Game, Muncy revealed he suffered a dislocated left elbow and “other damage” as a result of the collision with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jace Peterson.
Muncy and the Dodgers maintained hope he would return if the team continued to advance, but he didn’t get added to subsequent rosters for the National League Division Series or NL Championship Series.
Had the Dodgers reached the World Series, it was suggested Muncy would potentially be available in a limited role. However, that now doesn’t appear to have been a possibility as Muncy revealed in an interview with Alanna Rizzo on MLB Network that he is recovering from a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow:
“It’s a little slow. I’m not recovering as quick as I would like, but that’s what happens when you do some serious damage to your body. A torn UCL is a slow process. But we’re coming back, everything is going according to plan and thankfully it’s the offseason.”
Neither Muncy nor the Dodgers offered specifics on what the rehab process entailed during the postseason, or if baseball activities were part of it. His range of motion with the elbow was said to have improved during the NLCS.
When asked for injury updates at his end-of-season press conference, Dodgers president of baseball operations said Andrew Friedman said, “I think Muncy, J.T., Kersh, it is what it is. We kind of know what it is and now it’s rehab, and they know what they’re focusing on.”
Muncy’s salary increasing
As a result of garnering votes for 2021 NL MVP, Muncy added a $500,000 bonus to his salary for the 2023 season, which now is due to be $13.5 million if the Dodgers exercise their team option ($1.5 million buyout).
Muncy can add to it again by earning $1 million for a finish in the top five of 2022 MVP voting; $500,000 for placement from sixth through 10th; and $250,000 for 11th through 20th.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
