Spring Training for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been an exciting one with the debuts of multiple new superstars, but it’s also been a painful one for Max Muncy.
Last week, Muncy was hit in the left hand by a pitch and underwent X-rays the following day. The results came back negative, and he was able to get into the lineup two days later.
In his first game back on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, Muncy was again hit by a pitch as he was drilled in the upper back near his shoulder. The veteran third baseman was in the Dodgers lineup on Tuesday, and he was once again hit by a pitch, this time on his right knee.
Muncy was immediately pulled from the game after being hit, however it was also likely his final plate appearance of the night anyway as it happened in the sixth inning.
There’s good news for the Dodgers and Muncy as he was able to avoid an injury, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
Max Muncy left the game after getting hit in the knee by a pitch in the sixth inning, but Roberts says he was OK and expected to play Wednesday.
Muncy indeed is in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, starting at third base and batting fifth.
Muncy has been hitting well in Cactus League play so far, batting .417 with two home runs, four RBI and a 1.417 on-base plus slugging. He has also seen improvements on defense after losing around 15 pounds during the offseason.
Since the start of the 2018 season, Muncy’s 175 home runs are tied for seventh-most in baseball, and his 93 homers over the past three years are third-most among all third basemen.
Dodgers third base options behind Max Muncy
Muncy was thankfully able to avoid injury, but should he end up missing time at some point, the Dodgers have a few options on their roster who could fill in for him.
Chris Taylor projects to be the primary backup at the hot corner, while Kiké Hernández, Andre Lipcius, Miguel Rojas and Miguel Vargas can all play there as well.
Among their non-roster invitees in camp with experience at or the ability to play third base, the Dodgers have Kevin Padlo, Chris Owings, Austin Gauthier, Jonathan Araúz and Trey Sweeney.
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