Dave Roberts Hoping to Have Max Muncy, Chris Taylor Back Against Houston
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been dealing with the injury bug this season, but they’re due to get some relief in that area soon as manager Dave Roberts provided positive updates to SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson on Max Muncy and Chris Taylor.
#Dodgers Chris Taylor had cortisone shot in his knee and is continuing to feel better. He’s available off the bench to pinch hit tonight. Dave Roberts added that he may be available to play defense tomorrow, and they do not believe it will be an IL situation.
— Kirsten Watson (@kirsten_watson) June 21, 2023
#Dodgers Max Muncy is expected to return on Friday from the IL, and be in the lineup against the Astros.
— Kirsten Watson (@kirsten_watson) June 21, 2023
Taylor has missed a little time with a knee injury that has bothered him for “weeks,” according to the versatile defender.
But the development that Taylor’s pain likely will not turn into a stint on the injured list is welcome news for the team as he tries to rebound from a rough beginning to his season.
The veteran said recently that things are starting to click for him at the plate, and in a sense his results are beginning to bare that out.
Although he’s hitting a modest 4-for-19 over his last seven games, he’s collected 4 RBI over that time as he attempts to put his prolonged slump behind him.
The Dodgers will need him to do that, as he’s hit relatively well against left-handed pitchers this year, slashing .226/.279/.613 with seven homers and 13 RBI against southpaws.
For Muncy, he set to return from a left hamstring injury this weekend in time for a key series against the Astros.
LA will certainly enjoy having the power that comes with his 18 homers back in the lineup, but he very much needs to improve on his career high 27.9 percent strikeout rate, a concerning development for the third baseman that at times makes him a vulnerability in the Dodgers starting nine.
As far as the Dodgers are concerned, they’re hoping that this will be the start of a turnaround as they’re coming off a win over the Angels on Tuesday and starting pitcher Julio Urias is looking ever closer to a return of his own.
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