As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed several players back from the injured list once active rosters expanded, however the wait for Rich Hill continued as he remained on schedule in the recovery process, and Max Muncy also found himself sidelined.
Muncy was hit by a pitch in his right wrist last week and immediately removed from the series finale against the San Diego Padres. A fluoroscan that night at Petco Park did not reveal any fracture, nor did an X-ray the following afternoon in Arizona.
However, lingering pain and a limited range of motion prompted an MRI that Muncy deemed to be a small break in his right wrist. He was placed on the 10-day injured list Aug. 30 so the Dodgers could activate Kristopher Negrón.
Muncy projected he would miss around two weeks and has slowly increased his workouts and amount of baseball activity. According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, that advanced to hitting underhanded tosses:
Max Muncy hit soft toss today, has been throwing and is generally progressing well with his injured wrist. He's hopeful of returning during next week's road trip, but understands the need for caution. "I don't feel like it's hindering me at all. It's got me excited."
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) September 6, 2019
Muncy fielded ground balls at first base during batting practice on Wednesday and appears to be on track for a return during next week’s series with the Baltimore Orioles.
So too does Rich Hill, who completed two innings in a simulated game on Friday. As previously suggested to be a possibility, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has now confirmed Hill will make his return in a start against the Orioles, per David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports:
Dave Roberts said Rich Hill will pitch 2 innings/30 pitches in his first start back on Thursday in Baltimore. Hill mentioned this will be a similar to spring training build up as starter. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) September 6, 2019
The game will be Hill’s first since suffering his forearm injury on June 19. He essentially will treat the final month of the regular season as Spring Training and build up with each outing.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has already expressed confidence Hill will have ample time to stretch out and and serve as the club’s fourth starter in the postseason.
