The Los Angeles Dodgers began their road trip without Max Muncy (left wrist contusion) and J.D. Martinez (left groin/adductor) in the lineup against the San Diego Padres, but both seemingly available in a reduced capacity.
While Martinez did not start in a fifth consecutive game since being pinch-hit for this past Sunday because of discomfort in his left hamstring and groin area, Muncy’s injury was a result of being hit by a pitch in the series finale against the Oakland Athletics.
Muncy initially remained in the game before being replaced. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said X-rays taken Thursday night on Muncy’s left wrist came back negative and he was considered day-to-day moving forward.
Although Muncy was not in the Dodgers lineup for the first of four games at Petco Park, Roberts said he was available off the bench as a pinch-runner and likely would be limited to the same role on Saturday as well, via SportsNet LA:
“Sore. Testing, like I said, negative. So I think today, he’s available to pinch-run. Not play defense, not hit. And tomorrow, I would assume the same thing.”
The Dodgers started Chris Taylor at third base without Muncy available to hit or play the field. Taylor went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a bases-loaded walk in the Dodgers’ 10-5 comeback win.
Muncy has endured another rough season in terms of overall batting line, as he’s hitting just .193/.332/.479 with eight doubles, 27 home runs and 70 RBI. However, Muncy’s OPS+ (115) and wRC+ (119) are both above league average.
Among his homers, Muncy tied a Dodgers franchise record with three grand slams this season. He joined Kal Daniels (1990), Mike Piazza (1998), Adrián Beltré (2004), Matt Kemp (2009) and Taylor (2017) as the only Dodgers players to accomplish the feat.
Max Muncy injuries
Muncy previously has dealt with left hamstring trouble on two separate occasions, with the most recent instance requiring a stint on the 10-day injured list.
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