The Los Angeles Dodgers, already battered by injuries this season, were dealt another setback on Friday, August 15, 2025, when All-Star third baseman Max Muncy was officially placed on the injured list with a Grade 1 right oblique strain. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made the announcement ahead of the team’s crucial National League West showdown against the surging San Diego Padres, confirming that Muncy’s absence will extend well beyond the minimum 10 days required by the IL.
Muncy, whose powerful bat and plate discipline have long been a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ lineup, suffered the injury during pregame cage work before Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. He reported soreness in his side, prompting immediate testing that revealed the oblique strain. The timing couldn’t be worse for the Dodgers, who are locked in a heated divisional race and sit just one game behind the Padres as of Friday night.
“I don’t think anyone expects it to be season-ending,” Roberts said. “I don’t think anyone knows right now, but certainly beyond the 10 days. I think that’s a safe bet.” The manager noted that while the injury is similar to the oblique and rib issue that sidelined Muncy for three months last season, this version is thankfully more mild. Still, Roberts described the outlook as “week to week,” leaving the Dodgers without a clear timetable for the return of their slugging third baseman.
This latest setback comes just over a week after Muncy’s return from a knee injury suffered on July 2 against the Chicago White Sox, when outfielder Michael A. Taylor slid into his knee. Muncy had managed to beat the initial recovery schedule, but now finds himself sidelined once more. Before the knee injury, he had been hitting .258 with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs in 89 games—a testament to his continued value as a run producer, even after a slow start to the year.
The Dodgers’ offensive struggles in Muncy’s absence have been well documented. In the 32 games he has missed this season, Los Angeles has averaged just 3.47 runs per game—a far cry from the 5.79 runs per game they posted with Muncy in the lineup. The difference was even more pronounced during his month-long absence earlier this summer, when the team’s run production cratered and other star hitters struggled to pick up the slack. “It’s certainly a tough loss,” Roberts admitted. “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.”
In response to Muncy’s injury, the Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves. Infielder Buddy Kennedy, recently claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, was activated to provide additional infield depth. Meanwhile, highly touted prospect Alex Freeland, who had been handling second base duties, slid over to third and got the start on Friday. Freeland has struggled to find his footing at the big league level, hitting just .176 since his call-up, but the Dodgers are hoping he can stabilize the hot corner in Muncy’s absence. Miguel Rojas, a steady veteran presence, is expected to take over at second base.
The Dodgers’ depth has been tested to its limits, as Muncy is far from the only key player sidelined. Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández, the team’s primary backup options at third base, are both dealing with their own injuries and are unlikely to return before September. Hyeseong Kim is also out with an undisclosed issue, leaving the Dodgers to dig deep into their minor-league reserves at a critical point in the season.
“Guys got to continue to perform to their abilities,” Roberts insisted. The Dodgers’ offense, once the most potent in the majors, has been forced to adapt on the fly. The team had led the league in scoring before Muncy’s initial knee injury, notching 25 more runs than any other club. But in his absence, they ranked dead last over a 25-game stretch—a stark reminder of just how central Muncy’s bat is to their fortunes.
Fantasy baseball managers have also felt the ripple effects of Muncy’s injury. As ESPN’s Todd Zola noted, “Max Muncy is another return visitor to the injured list as he’s sidelined with a right oblique strain. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Muncy will be out for an extended period but that the club expects him to return in September.” The Dodgers’ shuffling of Freeland to third and Rojas to second is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with no reinforcements in sight until the calendar turns to September.
The timing of Muncy’s injury couldn’t be more critical. The Dodgers are in the thick of the playoff hunt, trailing the Padres by just a single game with less than two months remaining in the regular season. Every contest carries added weight, and the margin for error is razor thin. The team will need to find creative ways to generate offense and patch together their infield defense as they navigate this challenging stretch.
Meanwhile, the Padres have been heating up, adding to the urgency for Los Angeles to keep pace. The Dodgers’ front office has shown a willingness to make aggressive moves to address roster holes, as evidenced by the quick claim of Kennedy and the promotion of Freeland. Still, the loss of a player with Muncy’s pedigree and leadership is not easily overcome.
As the Dodgers continue their pivotal series against the Padres, all eyes will be on how the lineup responds without Muncy’s presence. Can Freeland seize the opportunity and provide a spark? Will Kennedy make an immediate impact? And, perhaps most importantly, can the Dodgers’ offense rediscover its rhythm before the playoff race slips away?
For now, the Dodgers will have to rely on resilience, depth, and the hope that Max Muncy’s recovery proceeds on schedule. With September looming and the postseason picture growing ever more complex, Los Angeles faces a defining stretch—one that could determine whether they reclaim the NL West crown or are forced to chase from behind.
