Dodgers: Max Muncy Expected to Be Ready for Opening Day

There were real worries during the offseason that the Dodgers could start the season without a few players. Clayton Kershaw is still a free agent, but the arm injury that he sustained last year was the first of his career. At his age, that has to make them a little bit nervous if he’s coming back to Los Angeles. 

But the injury to Max Muncy looked very bad, even initially. It was later reported that he had sustained damage to the UCL in his elbow, albeit on his non-throwing arm. But that arm is very important for extension in the batter’s box, and there had been very few updates on his condition. 

But the latest update from Dave Roberts provides plenty of optimism. The Dodgers manager spoke to the media today for the first time since the lockout ended. During that press call, he said that he does expect Muncy to be ready for Opening Day, though added he wasn’t sure in what capacity.

Dave Roberts said he thinks Max Muncy will be ready for Opening Day, unsure in what capacity.

Added that "everyone is in a good place."

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 11, 2022

Doc added that he thinks Muncy is at 80 percent in terms of progress from his injury. That’s pretty incredible given the severity of an injury to a player’s UCL. But the Dodgers certainly need his bat in the lineup and utilizing the universal DH might be the best course of action. 

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Muncy slashed .249/.368/.527 last year and put together a .895 OPS in the process. He slugged 36 homeruns and drove in 96 runs in a relatively down offensive season for him. But when he’s right, he’s lethal in the middle of the Dodgers lineup.

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