Max Muncy’s Expected Return Delayed Due To Illness

The Los Angeles Dodgers have gone another extended stretch without Max Muncy as he currently is on the 10-day injured list due to a Grade 1 right oblique strain he suffered in the middle of August.

The 35-year-old was placed on the IL retroactive to Aug. 13. Muncy’s progression has been going well, having participated in batting practice and at one point being on track to start a rehab assignment this weekend.

The Dodgers were hoping Muncy would be activated from the IL in time to join the team for the end of their road trip, but that’s been delayed due to falling under the weather.

“He’s better but there’s a chest cold, cough situation going on. As far as overall body, he feels good, but it’s pushed back his rehab a few days,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

The Dodgers were holding out hope that Muncy could still make it back in time to join them for their series against the Baltimore Orioles at the end of the road trip, but Roberts confirmed that no longer is going to be the case.

As a result, the earliest Muncy would be back in the Dodgers lineup is Monday, Sept. 8, in the series opener against the Colorado Rockies.

While the Dodgers are still awaiting Muncy’s return, they did welcome back Hyeseong Kim and Michael Kopech now that active rosters have expanded in September.

Tommy Edman is also set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City at some point this week. He has been out since Aug. 4 because of a sprained right ankle that has given Edman trouble throughout the year, which prompted the team to take their time with his current rehab process.

Kim is the latest Dodgers position player to be activated from the injured list, with Enrique Hernández team the Dodgers on Aug. 25.

With the Dodgers preparing Edman to become their primary center fielder, Kim figures to be in line to take over at second base against right-handed starting pitchers.

Dodgers’ record with max Muncy

The Dodgers are 54-35 in games Muncy has played in this season. Within that, they are 50-30 when Muncy has been in the Dodgers’ lineup.

He quickly made an impact upon returning from a bone bruise in his right knee, and the Dodgers certainly would stand to benefit from similar production this month.