The Los Angeles Dodgers have a mixed bag of injuries early on despite their strong start to the 2024 MLB season. The latest player to join the injury report is veteran third baseman Max Muncy.
Muncy is recovering from a right oblique strain and was set to revamp his activity. Dave Roberts originally said Muncy would be able to return sometime within the week; however, he walked the update back on Friday. Roberts said Muncy is still feeling the strain and that the team will proceed cautiously with him, per Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett.
Hopefully, Max Muncy will regain the progress he has made on his injury recovery and will not experience more setbacks. The 33-year-old has been a serviceable offensive force for the Dodgers during the 2024 season.
In 40 games, Muncy has batted a .223 average and hit nine home runs (tied for 24th in the league). In addition, he has been responsible for 28 RBI to go with a .798 OPS. Muncy’s injury update comes just as several other Dodgers are starting their rehab and return journeys.
Star pitcher Clayton Kershaw has not played since 2023 after getting surgery on his left shoulder. Yet, his rehab process was said to be “trending upward” in late May. Once Kershaw returns fully healthy from injury, he will be a great help to Los Angeles’ pitching core.
On the other hand, fellow bullpen member Emmet Sheehan was ruled out for the season after having Tommy John Surgery in mid-May. Sheehan was disappointed that he would not get to play with the exciting 2024 roster LA put together but knows his teammates will hold things down.
Similarly, Max Muncy will bide his time and let other offensive weapons keep the team afloat.
Dodgers look to keep rolling despite Max Muncy injury setback
Los Angeles acquired one of the best offensive players in MLB history ahead of the 2024 season. Two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani signed a record-breaking contract with the Dodgers in late 2023, and he has not disappointed.
Ohtani is still recovering from an elbow injury prevents him from pitching during the 2024 season. Yet, that is not stopping him from being a massive offensive contributor. Through 50 games, the 29-year-old bats a .354 average, which ranks him first in the league. In addition, he has hit 13 home runs, has been responsible for 34 RBI, and leads the league in OPS (1.069).
Ohtani brings an offensive spark like no other, but he is not the only one making an impact.
Mookie Betts is continuing his impressive contributions to the Dodgers in 2024. The 2023 Silver Slugger Award winner has batted a .330 average and hit eight home runs along with 29 RBI and a .970 OPS. With Betts and Ohtani, the Dodgers offense is hard to stop.
The Dodgers possess a 33-19 record, which places them at the top of the NL West. Los Angeles is on a mission to make a deep postseason run. They want revenge from being swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2023 MLB Playoffs.
Although the team has several injury woes, Los Angeles has what it takes to overcome and remain dominant.
