Max Muncy Takes Soft-Toss Swings, Still No Timetable For A Return
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (oblique) picked up a bat for soft-toss swings on Thursday, according to manager Dave Roberts, but there's still no real timetable for his return from the injured list due to an oblique injury. It's notable progress from Muncy, but he's already been ruled out until at least August and could miss a good chunk of the second half of the 2024 season. The 33-year-old veteran left-handed slugger has been sidelined since May and was shut down from swinging after a setback on July 6. Once Muncy starts doing more baseball activities, he's then going to need a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the Dodgers reinstate him from the IL. The Dodgers probably aren't going to have much competition for the National League West down the stretch, so the main priority for the Blue will be having Muncy healthy for the postseason.
Max Muncy Still Not Swinging, Not Likely To Be Back Until August
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique) still is not performing any swinging activities, according to manager Dave Roberts. Saturday will mark a week since Muncy was shut down from swinging after not progressing well in his rehab from his oblique strain. Roberts also indicated on Friday that the lefty would not be returning until at least August. It's becoming clearer and clearer that the plan for Muncy is simply for him to aim to be back and ready for the Dodgers' playoff run rather than trying to make any regular-season impact. Fantasy managers that have been holding onto hope that Muncy would make a quick return can likely look for replacements for his spot on their roster. Veteran Chris Taylor has been getting the majority of starts at third base in Muncy's absence.
Max Muncy Shut Down From Swinging Bat, Not Progressing In Rehab
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique) was shut down from swinging a bat on Saturday. Manager Dave Roberts stated that Muncy is just "not progressing" in his rehab from his oblique strain. The shutdown pushes out the potential timeframe for any rehab stint until after the All-Star break, potentially longer. The shutdown is not good news for the Dodgers as their top-heavy lineup continues to deal with more injuries without much relief in sight. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Muncy to return until late in the season. Chris Taylor has been getting the bulk of the starts at third base for the Dodgers as of late. His season-long OPS of .500 is less than inspiring, but his .926 OPS in 45 PA over the last 30 days shows a little bit of promise going forward. If you need an option in a deep league then Taylor may be a solid option until he cools back off.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique), who was transferred to the 60-day injured list last Friday, is with the team on Friday on the trip for the weekend series against the division-rival San Francisco Giants as he begins taking some swings off a tee. Muncy is still not close to a return and isn't eligible to be reinstated until after the mid-July All-Star break, but he has begun making some progress in what has been a much longer stay on the IL with a strained right oblique than initially anticipated. While the earliest that Muncy can return doesn't arrive for about another three weeks, fantasy managers should make sure he isn't floating around any waiver wires in shallow formats. The 33-year-old three-true-outcomes slugger was slashing an effective .223/.323/.476 with nine home runs, eight doubles, and 28 RBI across 167 plate appearances as LA's everyday third baseman before going on the shelf.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Friday. Muncy has been on the IL since May 17th, making any potential return to the Dodgers active roster not likely until after the All-Star break. Though he was added to the 60-day IL, the lefty slugger has been making progress in his recovery and was seen taking grounders at Dodger Stadium on Friday. Muncy has been shut down from swinging until at least next week. Any progress swinging the back will be a great sign for fantasy managers and Dodgers fans. Enrique Hernandez and Cavan Biggio have been starting at third base in Muncy's absence. Neither is a great fantasy option at this point and fantasy managers looking to fill Muncy's void will want to look elsewhere.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique) says he is "not progressing as fast" as he would like to from his strained right oblique. Muncy took grounders and ran the bases on Tuesday, but he hasn't resumed swinging at this stage, per MLB.com. He remains without a timetable for a return, and considering Muncy will likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before doing so, an activation from the injured list in late June seems like a best-case scenario. The 33-year-old three-true-outcomes slugger was slashing a solid .223/.323/.476 with nine home runs, eight doubles, and 28 RBI across 167 plate appearances as LA's everyday man at the hot corner before getting injured, and he should stay stashed in all fantasy leagues. Enrique Hernandez and Miguel Rosas should continue handling the bulk of action at third base in Muncy's stead, but neither are worth considering outside of the deepest leagues.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique) felt a twinge in his rib cage while swinging a bat last week and has been shut down from all baseball activities. The 33-year-old is still without a timeline to return. Muncy has been sidelined since May 17 and it does not appear that he will be returning any time soon. Enrique Hernandez will likely continue to see most of the reps at third base with Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas occasionally filling in. Muncy is still worthy of a stash spot in the majority of formats due to his serious power, but any other setbacks would start to hamper the veteran slugger's value.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique) is still on a "slow program" due to lingering oblique discomfort. He isn't swinging a bat right now, but manager Dave Roberts hopes Muncy will begin swinging again "soon." The veteran 33-year-old left-handed slugger has started baseball activities, but he's moving at a slow pace, and his return isn't just around the corner despite already being eligible to come off the 10-day injured list. Once he begins swinging, Muncy will eventually be required to go on at least a short minor-league rehab assignment. In the meantime, expect Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor to see some playing time at the hot corner for the Blue. When healthy, Muncy is a batting-average drag for fantasy teams, but he has high-end power and plenty of RBI opportunities in the best lineup in baseball. Keep him stashed everywhere.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts backed off a little on infielder Max Muncy (oblique) being ready to start a minor-league rehab assignment soon and return "some time next week." Roberts said Muncy is still feeling his oblique strain, and the team will proceed cautiously with him. The Dodgers aren't putting a return date on anything just yet. The 33-year-old left-handed hitter started doing some baseball activities last Tuesday but won't start hitting off a tee until the team thinks he's fully recovered from his injury. Oblique strains are notoriously tough to come back from, so fantasy managers never should have expected a quick return from Muncy. He's most likely not going to come off the injured list until early June. Muncy isn't going to help your team's batting average, but his power and RBI chances make him worth rostering in all fantasy leagues in the Dodgers' strong lineup.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (oblique) took ground balls before the game on Monday and is starting up baseball activities after a Grade 1 right-oblique strain landed him on the 10-day injured list last Friday. It's good news that the 33-year-old veteran is already resuming baseball activities, but swinging a bat will be the true test with an oblique injury. It's unclear if the Dodgers will want him to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Muncy to be back from the IL when he's eligible to return. He's currently slashing .223/.323/.475 with nine home runs, 28 RBI and 24 runs scored in his first 139 at-bats on the year. Muncy is going to hurt your fantasy team's batting average, but you can't argue against his pop and RBI opportunities in a loaded Dodgers lineup.
