Max Muncy, the third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.
#Dodgers 3B Max Muncy and UTIL Tommy Edman will begin rehab duties at Triple-A OKC on Saturday. RHP Walker Buehler will likely re-enter the rotation next Thursday at Milwaukee.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) 9 August 2024
All signs point to the power hitter returning to Los Angeles very soon. The rehab measure is a relief for fans who have long awaited Muncy’s return after an intense race for a spot in the National League’s West division.
Muncy will be joined in Oklahoma City by his new Dodgers teammate Tommy Edman.
The trade-deadline addition has yet to make his debut with the Dodgers. Edman is recovering from a wrist injury and an ankle problem.
After completing his rehab, Edman will head to Los Angeles.
Muncy was sidelined in May with a right oblique injury. The injury has prevented the third baseman from properly developing his swing and has delayed his return to the Los Angeles lineup.
Muncy participated in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday alongside superstar Mookie Betts. Betts is expected to return to the Dodgers on August 12-13, and it looks like Muncy won’t be far behind his teammate.
Manager Dave Roberts said Muncy experienced a “breakthrough” in his recovery after receiving chiropractic treatment a few weeks ago.
“Max had a really good breakthrough in terms of his feelings,” Roberts told reporters on July 31. “I’m really encouraged by that. I spoke to him today via text. I think we’ve cleared a hurdle.”
“There was some chiropractic treatment that kind of straightened things out there, in the ribs, which is great,” Roberts added. “So when everything is telling you that you’re healthy and you’re doing well, sometimes it’s some kind of body alignment that straightens things out, right?”
Of all the injured Dodger starters, Muncy has spent the most time on the injured list, spending more than 11 weeks on the list. His recovery process looked pretty bleak until Roberts announced a positive update on Muncy after it looked like the third baseman would miss the rest of the season.
Before his injury, Muncy was on pace to match the slugging percentage he had last season, when he hit a career-high 36 home runs and 17 doubles.
Muncy is another power hitter in the Dodgers’ arsenal that the team could use in the home stretch. With the Padres and Diamondbacks getting closer to the 2.5-game lead that Los Angeles has, Muncy’s return would mean a stronger lineup.
