Breaking: Max Muncy Injury Update — Dodgers Star Expected Back Wednesday, Boosting LA’s Lineup

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy is officially day-to-day after taking a 94-mph fastball off his right wrist in the eighth inning of Friday’s 5 – 22 win against the Milwaukee Brewers, a pitch that forced him out of the game and sent a collective gasp through Chavez Ravine. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed after the game that X-rays were negative but ruled the third baseman out for “the next few games,” including Saturday’s series finale, while the club waited for swelling to subside. Subsequent imaging revealed no structural damage, classifying the injury as a deep bruise rather than a fracture. Muncy missed the entire three-game set in Colorado and is also expected to sit for Monday night’s opener against the Rockies, though the front office has stopped short of an injured-list stint. The 35-year-old was spotted playing long toss and fielding grounders at Coors Field on Monday afternoon—an encouraging step that suggests a return could come as early as the upcoming home series versus the Brewers. The timing is unfortunate for both player and club; Muncy is slashing .258/.372/.596 with 12 homers, 19 RBI and an MLB-best 148 OPS+ through 46 games, anchoring the heart of a lineup already missing shortstop Tommy Edman. In his absence, veteran super-utility man Kiké Hernández has shifted to third base while rookie Miguel Vargas handles designated-hitter duties, a configuration Roberts believes can “keep the train moving” until his All-Star returns. Fantasy managers and Dodgers fans alike should monitor pre-game workouts over the next 48 hours; if Muncy continues to swing pain-free, he could be activated without a rehab assignment later this week. Until then, expect Hernández to draw the bulk of starts at the hot corner and for Los Angeles to lean even more heavily on Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani to supply left-handed thump in the middle of the order.