Dodgers 3B Max Muncy (oblique) returns to IL

Two weeks after returning from the injured list due to a knee injury, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy is back on the 10-day IL with a Grade 1 oblique strain.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team believes the injury will not end the 34-year-old Muncy’s season, but he missed three months with a Grade 1 oblique strain midway through the 2024 season.
Muncy made the most of his eight healthy games this month as he racked up four home runs, nine RBIs and nine walks while fashioning a .348/.531/.870 slash line. That pushed his season numbers to a .258 average with 17 homers and 64 RBIs in 89 games.
His .880 OPS ranks as his best showing since he forged a .249/.368/.527 slash line in 2021, which earned Muncy his second National League All-Star team nod as well as 10th place in NL Most Valuable Player voting.
To fill Muncy’s spot on the active roster, the Dodgers picked up utility infielder Buddy Kennedy off waivers from Toronto. Rookie Alex Freeland, who has batted .176 with no extra base hits in 12 games since making his MLB debut on July 30, is expected to be the regular third baseman.