Dodgers Gear Up for Comeback: Max Muncy Returns and Will Smith’s Surprise Tuesday Debut Looms

After stumbling through a tough stretch where they lost seven out of nine games, the Los Angeles Dodgers are finally getting a couple of crucial starters back in the fold—just when they need it most. Max Muncy, who’s been sidelined with an oblique injury for the last 23 games, has officially been activated from the injured list. The club confirmed he’ll be stepping up to the plate and manning third base for Monday’s showdown against the Colorado Rockies. At 35, Muncy’s bounce back is a welcome sight, especially given his solid .259/.389/.491 slash line with 17 homers and 64 RBIs this season. It’s clear the Dodgers have been missing his left-handed bat and steady presence in the lineup.

But that’s not all — catcher Will Smith is also poised for a return, potentially as soon as Monday as a pinch hitter, with a more full comeback expected Tuesday. Smith’s been battling a bone bruise from a foul ball on his right hand, and his ability to handle the pitching staff and suppress wild pitches is just as valuable as his .296/.405/.497 batting stats. Plus, utility player Tommy Edman could rejoin the squad this week after nursing a sprained right ankle, bolstering the team’s depth at a critical juncture. Heading into Monday’s game, the Dodgers cling to a slim one-game lead over the San Diego Padres atop the NL West, a race that’s heating up with every passing day. With these key players inching back, there’s a renewed buzz around Dodger Stadium—and hopes that the slump can finally be shaken off. LEARN MORE

After losing seven of their past nine games, the Los Angeles Dodgers are getting two key pieces of their everyday lineup back.

Max Muncy was activated from the injured list, the team announced. He will start Monday’s game against the Colorado Rockies at third base and bat fourth.

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Muncy, 35, has missed the Dodgers’ past 23 games with an oblique injury. He sustained the injury on Aug. 13 while working out in the batting cage. It was his second stint on the IL this season, following a month-long absence in July due to a bone bruise in his left knee.

In 89 games this season, Muncy has a .259/.389/.491 slash average with 17 home runs and 64 RBI.

“Obviously, it’s a big boost,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Muncy’s return. “We’ve been waiting for this one for a long time. Not to add any pressure to Max, but just kind of having his presence in the lineup, just taking a quality at-bat… obviously adds length to our lineup, a left-handed hitter who can just do some things, provide some slug, some on-base.”

Roberts added that catcher Will Smith is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday and could be available to pinch-hit in Monday’s game. The Dodgers feared that he may have to go on the IL with a bone bruise on his right hand. The injury occurred after taking a foul ball off the hand last Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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Smith, 30, is batting .296/.405/.497 with 19 doubles, 17 homers and 61 RBI in 432 plate appearances this season. However, he also has major value behind the plate by managing the pitching staff well and does an excellent job of blocking balls, allowing only two wild pitches this season.

The Dodgers should also get utilityman Tommy Edman back this week. Edman, 30, has been on the IL with a sprained right ankle since Aug. 3. It’s the second time he’s been sidelined due to the ankle, which kept him out of the lineup for 16 games.

Going into Monday’s game, the Dodgers (79-64) hold a one-game lead over the San Diego Padres (78-65) for first place in the NL West. The two teams do not play each other again through the remainder of the regular season.