Dodgers’ Max Muncy On Medical Breakthrough: ‘It Felt Like They Almost Broke My Rib’

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy revealed why it took so long to recover from the stubborn right oblique injury he sustained in mid-May.

“It just wasn’t ever getting set properly,” Muncy told Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times. “Each time I tried to come back, I felt like I was locked and couldn’t move properly.”

“I’d re-show you, but I can’t actually physically get my body in that position,” he continued. “It kind of felt like they almost broke my rib, but they didn’t. But it almost felt like that’s what happened.”

Muncy returned to Los Angeles on Monday after a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Monday’s series opener with the Seattle Mariners was the third baseman’s first game for the Dodgers since May 26. He missed a total of 80 games because of the oblique strain.

“I’d have a good day, and then I’d wake up and it’d feel like Day 1 of the injury,” Muncy said. “It was a whole process to get back to where I felt [OK] to even start to swing.”

His return to Los Angeles was the first time in several months that the Dodgers lineup looked complete. The Dodgers power hitter went yard to help Los Angeles extend their lead over the Mariners in his first at-bat on Monday. The two-run homer was certainly a statement from Muncy. It appeared as though he didn’t skip a beat.

Muncy made a huge impact in the sweep of Seattle with two home runs, two doubles, and six RBIs. Suddenly, the world returned back to normal for the clubhouse.

The concern was that the Dodgers slugger would miss the rest of the season and Los Angeles would be short one of its most electric hitters.

The Dodgers initially expected the third baseman to return from the injured list in a number of days. A few days turned into three months. By then, the clubhouse had endured its fair share of injuries, and fans were desperate for several starters to return.

Key starters in the lineup spent time away throughout the season, including Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Muncy. Once each starter made their way back to the lineup, it was as if all the puzzle pieces were coming together.

Now, the Dodgers are 4.5 games ahead of the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West division race.

Photo Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

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