The Los Angeles Dodgers are grappling with a significant blow ahead of their pivotal series against the San Diego Padres. All-Star third baseman Max Muncy has been placed on the injured list due to a Grade 1 oblique strain, announced by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. This injury casts uncertainty over Muncy’s availability for an extended period, presenting a daunting challenge for the Dodgers as they square off against their division rivals.
Muncy sustained the right-side injury during pregame cage work before Wednesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. This marks the second time Muncy has battled an oblique injury, having previously missed three months last season with a similar setback. While Roberts expressed optimism that the injury is not season-ending, he expects Muncy’s stint on the injured list to exceed the standard 10-day minimum.
The Dodgers didn’t hesitate to make a roster move, activating infielder Buddy Kennedy—recently acquired off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays—as Muncy’s replacement. Kennedy is anticipated to step in at third base, but replacing the production of a player hitting .258 with 17 home runs, 64 RBIs, and an .880 OPS this season will be a steep hurdle.
This injury compounds the Dodgers’ ongoing struggles with their lineup, as key position players Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim, and Kiké Hernandez are also sidelined. The absence of Muncy’s offensive firepower is particularly concerning given the Dodgers’ recent offensive slump; they were the lowest-scoring team in the majors during a previous stretch when Muncy was out in July due to a knee injury.
Muncy’s injury comes at a time when the Dodgers are fighting to keep pace in the highly competitive National League West. Entering Friday’s game, the Padres hold sole possession of the division lead, continuing a trend since 2021 when the Dodgers lost their usual grip on the top spot. That year was the only time in a decade that the Dodgers failed to win the division, a season that ended with an early playoff exit and the San Francisco Giants taking the crown.
Despite flashes of brilliance throughout the 2025 campaign, inconsistent performance and injuries have hampered the Dodgers’ momentum. Early-season pitching injuries, coupled with the recent wave of position player absences, have tested the depth and resilience of this talented roster.
As the Dodgers gear up for their critical series with the Padres, the loss of Max Muncy’s bat in the lineup will undoubtedly be felt. How manager Dave Roberts and the team adjust to these setbacks will be crucial in determining whether Los Angeles can chase down the division leaders and return to postseason contention.
The coming days will reveal if the Dodgers’ roster can overcome adversity or if this injury woes will tilt the NL West race further in favor of the Padres. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the two teams face off in what promises to be a defining clash in the heart of the baseball season.
