Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy was hit in the back of a helmet by a pitch this past Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.
He’s been in the lineup just one time since, for Monday’s series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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While the Dodgers have faced a run of left-handed pitchers, Roberts said there’s a little more to Muncy’s multiple absences.
“He was still a little fuzzy (Tuesday) but fine, and today feels better,” Roberts said Wednesday. “So I think for me, I just wanted to give him an extra day.”
While Muncy isn’t dealing with a concussion, it’s clear the hit by pitch affected him at least a little bit, as he took a 94.1 mph sinker to the back of the helmet.
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“As of right now, we’re OK. Jaw hurts a little bit, but I did get hit in the face,” Muncy said after the game. “But I played enough football growing up. Know all the signs I need to be looking for, and I don’t have any of those, so it’s obviously good. Sucks to get hit again, but that’s baseball.”
Muncy was hit the day before, too, that time in the hand/wrist area. Muncy has been plagued by the injury bug all year, dealing with both a knee injury and oblique injury that each sidelined him for a month.
When healthy, Muncy has been pivotal to the Dodgers’ success. He’s slashing .250/.385/.480 with 18 home runs, 65 runs batted in and an OPS of .865. The Dodgers are 57-38 when Muncy plays this season. They’re 28-29 when he doesn’t.
Is Max Muncy Playing Today?
Muncy is expected to be back in the lineup for Thursday night’s series opener against the Giants. The team will release the lineup about four hours prior to first pitch, which is 7:10 p.m. PT.
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Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
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One Response
I think it would be a good idea when a player is hit in the head like that they must go to the hospital to get a CT scan or what ever scan they use to check for damage to the brain. Bleeding on the brain can cost you your life and at times is not noticeable when it happens and it is best to be checked as soon as possible. That should be standard for all MLB and minior league teams. Guys now are throwing much harder than years past. Many can pitch over 96 mph. I wish there was more research done for a safer batting helmet. All cricket batters have a wire face shield across their face. Maybe that should be looked into and I think the newer chin guards should be worn by everyone just like when ear flaps were mandatory. Just imagine if Muncy turned the wrong way. Helmets and eye shields became mandatory in hockey and there was some barking by players over that but that rule has helped a lot with head injuries. Over the years newer designs in football helmets have helped players with head injuries too.