Max Muncy was removed from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers after being hit by a pitch in the right hand/wrist area during the eighth inning.
Muncy was in considerable pain and underwent some manual testing on the field before exiting the game.
Initial X-rays on the area were negative, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared after the game. That was encouraging news, but there’s still some concern over it given how X-ray testing typically goes.
“Not feeling great right now, but it is relief,” Muncy said on SportsNet LA. “We’ve just got to monitor it the next couple days. Typically, especially in that area, the X-rays never come back positive immediately. It kind of forms a little bit.
“I’m pretty sure it hit half my wrist pad and then half my wrist. I haven’t looked at it (the replay) yet, but that’s kind of what I was feeling. Me deciding to wear that wrist guard the last couple years might’ve saved my wrist, at least tonight.”
Besides the X-rays being negative, Muncy had another reason for optimism.
“It hurt really, really bad,” Muncy began. “In that moment, you’re trying to figure out what you can feel, trying to assess how bad you think it is.
“For me, I think we escaped the worst because I’ve been hit in that spot before and had a break in that spot before. The biggest thing that always stuck with me from that was just the nauseous feeling that you get. I didn’t quite have that tonight, so that’s why I’m feeling pretty optimistic about it.”
After Muncy was hit, it appeared he might try to stay in the game as he went to first base. But he immediately left after touching the base and explained why he went to the bag.
“Just because some of the things that have happened this year, you never know if you have to actually touch first base or not,” Muncy said. “If you get pinch-ran for, you have to touch first base.
“I looked at Doc and I was like, ‘Do I need to touch first base?’ He was like, ‘Just go touch it.’ He pulled me immediately. He didn’t want to risk it.”
Max Muncy’s previous history with wrist injuries
The 35-year-old has dealt with similar scenarios each year and has avoided major injuries each time.
In 2023, Muncy was hit by a pitch in his left wrist and X-rays were again negative. In 2024 Spring Training, he also avoided an injury after being hit by a pitch in his left hand.
And last September, Muncy shook off getting hit in the right forearm and was back in the lineup the next game.
“These things happen,” Muncy said. “Guys miss up and in. It’s never on purpose. It just happens.”
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