Max Muncy has been out of the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup since May 15 due to a right oblique strain.
It is one of the most delicate injuries in baseball, but the Dodgers were originally hopeful for a quick return. However, that has not gone as hoped.
Muncy is still a ways away from being activated off the 15-day injured list, but he recently made positive progression that has manager Dave Roberts hopeful for getting the slugging third baseman back in the lineup, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Also, third baseman Max Muncy took a “step forward” in his recovery from a strained oblique muscle, including “dry swings” (no ball involved) in his workouts.
“I think that we’re cautiously optimistic,” Roberts said. “With the soft tissue, the oblique, we’re trying to be very mindful of not pushing him too much.”
Muncy advancing to dry swings after missing 22 games shows just how tricky an oblique injury can be and just how carefully the recovery process needs to be approached. Roberts did not mention a timetable, as a recent setback was set to keep Muncy out indefinitely.
But this progression could mean that the Dodgers might know a timetable in short order.
Muncy’s next step will be to take batting practice, which is where his setback occurred last time.
Dodgers struggles without Max Muncy
The Dodgers have two home series in a row before playing 10 of 12 games away from Dodger Stadium between June 17-30.
They have gone 12-10 in Muncy’s absence, as his injury correlated with a team-wide slump that included a five-game losing streak and immediate rumors about the Dodgers seeking bottom-of-the-lineup help at the trade deadline. Losing Muncy very quickly pointed L.A. to their depth issue at the plate.
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