One major storyline since the start of Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training has been the health of Max Muncy as he works to return from a dislocated left elbow and torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that ended his 2021 season.
At the time of his injury, Muncy and the Dodgers maintained hope he would be able to return if the team advanced to the World Series. Muncy didn’t reveal the full extent of his injury until an offseason interview with Alanna Rizzo on MLB Network.
“I never told you guys it wasn’t and I didn’t want to tell you it wasn’t,” explained Muncy of not revealing the UCL damage when discussing the injury early in camp. “So I was trying to skirt around those questions.”
He didn’t get into the Dodgers’ lineup for a Cactus League game until Monday, going 0-for-1 with a walk and run scored. Following the loss to the Chicago White Sox, Muncy noted he is more concerned with correcting his swing mechanics than the continued recovery process, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It felt good to be back,” Muncy said. “We’re working through some things, but the most important thing is to get out there and get some game action. The elbow felt fine doing ABs against guys in the back fields, but you get a little adrenaline going and see how it feels with those types of swings. It felt good today. The swing is a different matter, but we have to worry about the elbow first.”
Muncy acknowledged that his swing needs some work before he will be ready for the start of the season.
“I think it’s just rust,” he said. “I think we’re closer than what it looks. … But the most important thing is the health of the elbow and I think it’s going well. It’s just more of loosening it up. … It’s like if you’ve been sitting in a car for a long time, your legs get stiff. It’s almost like that. But we’re close, I think.”
While potentially not 100% recovered, the expectation remains Muncy will be on the Dodgers’ active roster for Opening Day. Manager Dave Roberts recently estimated Muncy’s elbow to be 85%.
Muncy ranked among top-10 first basemen
Prior to the Dodgers planning to move Muncy over to second base in order to accomodate Freddie Freeman, he was ranked by The Shredder as a top-10 first basemen right for the 2022 regular season.
Muncy placed fourth on the list, while Freeman was ranked No. 1.
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