UPDATE: Max Muncy is back in the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers after missing 23 games due to an oblique injury. His return comes at a critical moment as the Dodgers aim to revitalize a struggling offense that has seen them falter recently, now just a game ahead of the second-place San Diego Padres.
Muncy, hitting .258 with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs in 89 games, was activated just before the Dodgers faced the Colorado Rockies on Monday night. The team is in dire need of a boost, having gone just 3-7 in their last ten games, including a disappointing 1-5 on a recent East Coast trip.
“This is a big boost,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ahead of the game. “We’ve been waiting for this one for a long time.” Muncy’s presence is expected to add significant firepower to the lineup, where he batted fourth behind stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman.
Before the game, Muncy expressed optimism about his health, stating, “The body feels in a good spot. This is kind of one of those rare rehab assignments where you’re not entirely worried about results.” Notably, he had been on the injured list since August 15 following a prior stint due to a left knee bone bruise.
The Dodgers recently suffered a shocking 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, who came within an out of throwing baseball’s first no-hitter of the season. Muncy acknowledged the pressure of the moment, stating, “Time’s running out to climb out of it. The only team that we need to be worrying about is ourselves.”
With Muncy’s return, catcher Chuckie Robinson has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, reflecting the urgency the Dodgers feel as they aim for October. They currently trail the Philadelphia Phillies by four games for the National League’s No. 2 seed, making every game crucial.
As the Dodgers gear up to face the Rockies, fans are hopeful that Muncy’s return will reinvigorate the team and help them reclaim momentum in the playoff race. Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
