The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost one of their better hitters recently to the injured list.
Max Muncy was officially placed on the IL on Friday retroactive to Wednesday with a right oblique strain. The Dodgers now have to hope Muncy’s absence does not lead to more issues offensively.
“The Dodgers can only hope their offense doesn’t melt down with the absence of third baseman Max Muncy like earlier this season,” wrote MLB insider Bob Nightengale. “The Dodgers averaged an MLB-low 3.5 runs a game, hitting .217 while going 10-15 in the 25 games Muncy missed.”
Los Angeles has won its first two games against the San Diego Padres since Muncy was added to the IL. The Dodgers scored nine runs in those two games entering Sunday, and the offense wasn’t showing signs of slowing down.
However, one series is a much smaller sample size than the 25 games Muncy has missed so far this season.
Muncy struggled for the first 2 1/2 months of the season, and he was even viewed by some as a candidate to be designated for assignment in May when he was hitting below or just above the Mendoza line. Despite the early-season struggles, the 34-year-old infielder has turned it around.
Given how tight the race is in the National League West, the Dodgers can’t afford to go into an offensive slump without Muncy in the lineup. The two teams are going to be neck-and-neck over the final six weeks of the season. Los Angeles will be waiting for Muncy to return as soon as possible and hopes he doesn’t need a rehab assignment.
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