Dodgers' Max Muncy expects to miss 6 weeks with bone bruise

New York Times

2 days ago

Max Muncy spent months tuning out and defusing unfounded speculation about his standing and the Los Angeles Dodgers' position at third base. He quelled that chatter with his bat, surging as one of the best hitters in the sport in May after trying on glasses, staking his claim to be an All-Star for the third time in his career. Now, after a collision with a sliding Michael A. Taylor twisted his left knee on Wednesday night, all of that remains up in the air once again.
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The Dodgers placed Muncy on the injured list on Thursday afternoon after the 34-year-old third baseman spent the morning in an MRI tube. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters at Dodger Stadium on Thursday that those tests revealed a bone bruise, knocking Muncy out for an estimated six weeks.
'It was tough news, but it was also great news,' Muncy told reporters. 'When you look at the play and what could have happened, we got possibly the best-case scenario.'
The organization recalled outfielder Esteury Ruiz to take Muncy's spot on the active roster, a part-time solution as the Dodgers will have to spend the next month before the July 31 trade deadline finalizing how they will handle the position in Muncy's stead.
Max Muncy said he's looking at about six weeks out with the injury, which is about best case scenario considering how it looked at the time. pic.twitter.com/Qiar7cDLYu
— Rowan Kavner (@RowanKavner) July 3, 2025
Kiké Hernández is the likely internal option, filling the same kind of role he did last summer when Muncy missed several months with a strained oblique and displaced rib. Hernández has a .652 OPS on the season and is largely on the roster for his versatility; keeping him to one position could open up some playing opportunities for Korean rookie Hyeseong Kim at second base and center field, and could lead to Miguel Rojas expanding his duties from his current part-time role.
The Dodgers also have top infield prospect Alex Freeland, who has an .836 OPS in 360 plate appearances this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, with 10 of his 75 starts coming at third base. Freeland was recently dealing with a thumb issue and isn't on the 40-man roster, which could be the reason why Los Angeles opted to bring up Ruiz instead in the short term. The organization is already expecting somewhat of a roster crunch in the coming weeks along with the deadline, with Tyler Glasnow on a rehab assignment and Blake Snell and Blake Treinen now both back to facing hitters.
Los Angeles also added another infielder to their 40-man roster on Thursday, claiming CJ Alexander off waivers from the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers claimed IF CJ Alexander from the New York Yankees and designated OF Steward Berroa for assignment.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 3, 2025
If he were to miss more time, Muncy's absence could also fuel speculation once again that the Dodgers could seek to add a third baseman at the deadline.
Nolan Arenado's desire to play in Los Angeles is well-known throughout the industry, though the Dodgers never engaged in serious trade talks for the eight-time All-Star. The 34-year-old's offensive decline has continued, with his OPS+ dropping from 151 in his top-three MVP finish in 2022 to 108 in 2023, 101 in 2022, and below league average at a 95 OPS+ in 333 plate appearances this season.
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Taking on that kind of salary for Arenado through 2026 — rather than Muncy's much more palatable $10 million club option for next season — is among the several considerations that could shift dramatically should Muncy's absence be shorter than originally anticipated. Given how gruesome the injury initially looked, that would be seen as a win for the Dodgers.
Two other third basemen who could be available at the deadline — Arizona's Eugenio Suárez and Colorado's Ryan McMahon — both share a division with the Dodgers, potentially souring any chance of a deal.
The Dodgers originally acquired Ruiz in April, hoping to tap into the unique skill set that the 2023 American League stolen base leader possesses. Ruiz has continued to put up strong exit velocities in the Dodgers' system, and paired that with results down in the minor leagues. Through 300 plate appearances with Oklahoma City, he has hit .292 with an .852 OPS to go with eight home runs and 38 stolen bases.