The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Max Muncy off the 10-day injured list and optioned Michael Busch to Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
Muncy returns after missing the past 11 games because of a left hamstring strain. Though, his IL stint didn’t begin until June 16, at which point Muncy had been active but unavailable for three games.
Muncy’s time on the IL was retroactive to June 13, and the Dodgers initially anticipated he would return for the start of their home series with the Houston Astros.
However, Muncy continued to deal with lingering hamstring tightness when running at full speed, and thus he spent the weekend twice taking at-bats against live pitching. He never joined a Minor League affiliate for a rehab assignment.
“Max looked really good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday. “Had a good day. Just talked to him briefly, and I can’t imagine him not being at third base on Tuesday.
“Then we’ll probably give him a day off Wednesday, and then back in there Thursday.”
Muncy is batting .191/.323/.474 with five doubles, 18 home runs, 45 RBI, .340 wOBA and 115 wRC+ in 60 games. He is second on the team in home runs and third in RBI.
The Dodgers used Chris Taylor (four starts) and Busch (seven) at third base during Muncy’s absence.
Michael Busch impressed Dodgers
After struggling some in a limited first stint up with the Dodgers earlier this season, Busch fared better over his most recent stretch.
“I applaud Michael. This is the first year he’s really played a lot of third base, and outside of that little pop-up mishap the other day, he’s been great,” Roberts said last week. “To take on a new position and play it like he has, work hard, it’s great. It’s a great opportunity for him.
“Michael is doing a really nice job filling in for Max, both defensively and in the batter’s box,” Roberts said during the weekend.”
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