Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Injuries have continued to pile up for the Los Angeles Dodgers recently, but so far they have been lucky to avoid any major injury concerns to their position players. However, that changed on Sunday when Max Muncy was removed from the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The injury was described as a left hamstring cramp by the Dodgers, which would be the best-case scenario if that’s proven to be accurate.
But there is always the concern of the injury actually being a strain, and the third baseman has dealt with it for a few days. Muncy doesn’t believe his hamstring issue is serious but is set to undergo an MRI on Monday, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Muncy said, with an electronic stimulator machine affixed to the hamstring. “(Roberts) made the decision that it was better to just come out now and get ahead of it instead of missing a month or two with something worse.”
They’ll have to hope that feeling is correct after Muncy goes in for an MRI on Monday afternoon.
The injury first appeared in the game when Muncy was running from first base to second base in the top of the third inning. Muncy ran out a chopper and went back into a sprint when Brandon Lowe’s throw to second was wide of the bag and went into left field.
Muncy limped into second base and was checked on by Roberts and a trainer before initially remaining in the game. He advanced to third base on a fly ball to center field and scored without issue on Miguel Rojas’ sacrifice fly.
However, the 32-year-old was replaced in the field when the bottom of the third inning began.
This season, Muncy is batting .208/.340/.530 with three doubles, 17 home runs and 38 RBI. He trails only the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso (20) for the MLB lead in home runs this season.
Roberts has previously credited the All-Star as a key piece in the Dodgers lineup.
Will Max Muncy go on the injured list?
If the Dodgers decided to put Muncy on the 10-day injured list, it would be a decision made following the results of the MRI. Regardless of what they find, it may ultimately be the best decision to give Muncy the 10 days off, especially with the injury bringing a lingering issue.
In that scenario, the Dodgers would likely recall Michael Busch, who made his MLB debut with the club earlier this season. Busch is one of the Dodgers’ top prospects and is primarily known for his left-handed bat, but he also has experience playing third base, second base, first base and left field.
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