The Los Angeles Dodgers, a franchise with sky-high expectations and a payroll north of $400 million, are staring down yet another tough test as the season barrels into its most critical stretch. On August 15, 2025, the Dodgers placed third baseman Max Muncy on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 strain in his right oblique, just as the team was gearing up for a pivotal series against the first-place San Diego Padres. For a club already mired in a six-week slump and having watched a once-comfortable nine-game division lead evaporate, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Muncy, who first reported discomfort in his side following batting practice on August 13, was a late scratch from the lineup that day. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the diagnosis, noting, “It’s certainly a tough loss. I think it’s just, guys got to continue to perform to their abilities. It’s hard to kind of backfill Max, what he brings as far as the plate discipline, the slug, the on-base, all that stuff. I feel good about our lineup, the guys that we have, and they’ve just got to go out there and take good at-bats. That’s kind of all we can do right now.”
While Roberts emphasized that the injury is not expected to be season-ending, he was candid about the uncertainty surrounding Muncy’s return. “I don’t think anyone knows right now, but certainly beyond the 10 days,” he told reporters. “I think that’s a safe bet.” The Dodgers are hopeful, however, that this setback won’t echo last year’s saga, when a similar oblique and rib issue kept Muncy off the field for months. “From what I hear, it’s not as bad as it was last year,” Roberts added.
This latest injury marks Muncy’s second stint on the sidelines in 2025. He previously missed all of July and the first week of August with a bone bruise in his left knee. The impact of his absence was stark: during those 25 games, the Dodgers’ offense cratered, ranking last in runs scored and 28th in OPS. Before the knee injury, the team led the majors in scoring, and since his return on August 4, Los Angeles has rebounded to fourth in baseball with an impressive .836 OPS.
Statistically, Muncy has been a linchpin for the Dodgers. In 89 games this season, the 34-year-old slugger is batting .258 with 72 hits in 279 at-bats, 17 home runs, and 64 RBIs. His .880 OPS and 144 OPS+ place him among the elite third basemen in the league, trailing only a select few like Boston’s Alex Bregman and Cleveland’s José Ramírez. According to Noah Camras, the Dodgers average 5.79 runs per game when Muncy is in the lineup, compared to just 3.47 runs per game without him—a dramatic difference that underscores his value.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers’ injury woes extend beyond Muncy. Key backup options at third base, Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández, are also sidelined and not expected back before September. Hyeseong Kim, another versatile infielder, remains on the injured list as well. The result? The Dodgers have had to dig deep into their minor-league system, calling up rookie Alex Freeland, who has started at third base during Muncy’s absence. Freeland, a highly touted prospect, has struggled at the plate so far, hitting just .176 in his first 12 games at the big-league level.
To bolster their infield depth, the Dodgers claimed journeyman Buddy Kennedy off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on August 15. Kennedy, now with his sixth organization, is expected to split time with Freeland at third base. The Dodgers also designated right-handed pitcher Julian Fernández for assignment to make room for Kennedy on the 40-man roster. Miguel Rojas, another utility infielder, could see increased action at second base as the dominoes fall from Muncy’s absence.
“It’s hard to replace Max — what he brings in terms of plate discipline, power, getting on base — all of it,” Roberts reiterated in an interview with The Athletic. The challenge is compounded by the fact that the Dodgers’ offense has been so dependent on Muncy’s production. Even after a slow start to the season, his 17 homers and 64 RBIs in just 89 games have provided a much-needed spark, especially considering the team’s offensive struggles when he’s been out.
The timing of Muncy’s injury couldn’t be more critical. The Dodgers are entering a six-game, 10-day stretch against the division-leading Padres—a team they’re desperately trying to catch in the National League West race. With the top of the lineup still intact, Los Angeles will lean heavily on its remaining stars to pick up the slack. The club’s recent offensive resurgence since Muncy’s return from his knee injury offers a glimmer of hope, but the margin for error is razor-thin as the playoff race intensifies.
Roberts, for his part, remains optimistic that Muncy will return before the end of the regular season. “It’s definitely a tough loss. I think the guys just need to keep performing at the top of their abilities,” he said. “It’s hard to replace Max — what he brings in terms of plate discipline, power, getting on base — all of it.” Roberts’ faith in his roster will be put to the test in the coming weeks, as the Dodgers try to weather yet another storm of injuries.
For fans, the question is whether Los Angeles can maintain its offensive momentum and stay afloat in the NL West until Muncy, Edman, and Hernández are back in action. The team’s ability to adapt—rotating Freeland, Kennedy, and Rojas through the infield—will be crucial. The Dodgers have faced adversity before, but this latest challenge arrives at a time when every game matters, and there’s little room for error.
As the Dodgers prepare for their crucial series against the Padres, all eyes will be on the patchwork infield and how the team responds to losing one of its most productive and respected veterans. The hope in Los Angeles is that Muncy’s absence won’t last long, and that the team’s depth and resilience will be enough to keep their postseason dreams alive.
For now, the Dodgers are left to regroup, adjust, and fight on—knowing that every at-bat, every inning, and every game could make all the difference in a season that’s been anything but predictable.