LOS ANGELES — Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy is expected to miss approximately six weeks after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee, the team announced Wednesday.
Muncy was placed on the 10-day injured list following an awkward play at third base earlier this week. Imaging revealed no structural damage, which Muncy called “about the best-case scenario” considering how the injury initially appeared.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) flips over Chicago White Sox right fielder Michael A. Taylor (21) after tagging him out on an attempted steal in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium.
The 33-year-old was injured while applying a tag on a stolen base attempt when his knee bent unnaturally. He was helped off the field and underwent further evaluation on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"It was tough news but it was great news in terms of if you look at the play and the injury that could have happened," Muncy said. "We got the best case scenario with no structural damage in there, which is huge. That was a pleasant relief but the timetable still sicks for me personally when you look at being out six weeks. It was a tough blow but I still get to play baseball this year. It was best case scenario.”
While the injury occurred moments ahead of Clayton Kershaw's 3,000 strikeout with the runners at second attempting to steal third with one out, Kershaw wasn't pleased by the move by the White Sox.
In the 6th inning, Michael A. Taylor attempted to steal third base, resulting in an injury to Max Muncy, who left the game with a left knee contusion and is awaiting an MRI this morning.
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) July 3, 2025
"I don't know why he stole third there. Didn't seem like the right thing to do.” Clayton… pic.twitter.com/61xyVsOT6p
Muncy has hit .250 with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs in 81 games this season. He had been heating up at the plate in recent weeks as the Dodgers continue to push for the top spot in the National League West.
Dave Roberts spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of their game against the White Sox. He announced that Tommy Edman will begin to take on a leading role at third base, while Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernández will serve as backup until Max Muncy returns later this season.
Before tonight's series finale with the White Sox, Max Muncy provides the media with an update on his knee injury and what kind of recovery he's facing, as he's headed to the IL with a left knee bone bruise. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/Ck2vTTPwCE
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 4, 2025
Roberts said he is "very relieved" regarding the injury to Muncy on Wednesday night. This certainly opens up the door for Hyeseong Kim to play more consistently moving forward at second base, with Edman moving from the infield to the outfield. Edman has played third base in the past, making 94 appearances with 59 starts for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 2022 season.
The Dodgers also brought more help for the outfield with a trade they made earlier this season.
To replace Muncy on the active roster, the Dodgers recalled infielder Esteury Ruiz from Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 25-year-old Ruiz, acquired from Oakland earlier this season, is expected to see time in the infield while Muncy recovers.