Max Muncy has been sidelined since the middle of May with a right oblique strain, missing more than a month’s worth of games on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ schedule.
The 33-year-old suffered a setback in his recovery two weeks ago that caused him to be shut down from swinging. However, manager Dave Roberts recently indicated that Muncy would resume hitting drills in the coming days.
The two-time All-Star traveled with the Dodgers to Oracle Park for their series against the San Francisco Giants and is swinging a bat again, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
Third baseman Max Muncy, out since May 15 because of an oblique strain, joined the team in San Francisco and has begun swinging the bat, hitting soft-toss and balls off a tee.
Roberts added that Muncy’s next steps are taking live batting practice, playing in a simulated game and beginning a rehab assignment:
“Guys on the IL typically don’t travel with us, but in this particular case, it’s three days, and our hitting guys can put some eyes on him,” Roberts said. “The next step is hitting on the field. He’s taking grounders, throwing, running, so at some point in time, he’ll take live batting practice, do a simulated game and from there, go on a rehab [assignment].”
Muncy finally appears to be making some progress toward a return to the Dodgers, but the earliest date he can be activated from the 60-day injured list is July 16.
Muncy was in the midst of another solid season prior to going on the IL as he batted .223/.323/.475 with eight doubles, nine home runs and 28 RBI over 40 games.
Dodgers lineup missing Max Muncy
Roberts previously discussed Muncy’s importance to the Dodgers lineup and how opposing pitchers are forced to change their approach when he is in it.
The team has attempted to replace Muncy’s production at third base with a combination of Kiké Hernández, Cavan Biggio, Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor, but they have collectively struggled.
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