Max

Muncy

Miguel Rojas takes over at shortstop with Max Muncy moving into the cleanup spot against his former club. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters they made the decision to scratch Betts out of an abundance of caution. It doesn’t sound like a significant concern, but fantasy managers should closely monitor his status heading into Friday’s series opener against the division-rival Padres.

Muncy takes a well deserved break after going 2-for-5 with a solo homer and two RBI during Monday’s slugfest in West Sacramento. The 35-year-old won the first-ever Max Muncy squared showdown in decisive fashion as he continues to haunt his former organization. It’ll be Tommy Edman getting a turn at the hot corner in his absence.

The first Matchup of the Max Muncies saw the Dodgers’ veteran homer and wind up on the winning side. However, the Athletics’ Muncy got the better on the lone one-vs.-one matchup; he hit a grounder to third in the second that bounced off the bag and over Dodger Muncy’s head for an infield single. Unfortunately, Mookie Betts ultimately handled the ball, so we’re still waiting for our first “Max Muncy grounds out/singles to third baseman Max Muncy” in the box score.

Muncy hit multiple homers for the 23rd time in his career and reached base safely five times for the sixth time. Both of Muncy’s homers today came with a man on, giving him his first four-RBI game of the year. 12 of his previous 14 homers this year had been solo shots, which is part of how he entered the game with just 24 RBI on the season.

Muncy made it back into Los Angeles’ lineup for a pair of contests against the Angels over the weekend. The positive news is that he doesn’t appear to be dealing with any linger effects from a brutal on-field collision at first base with Ildemaro Vargas last Thursday.

Muncy came off the bench in the eighth inning of Friday’s Freeway Series opener against the Angels following a scary first-base collision with Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas earlier this week. The 35-year-old seems to have managed to avoid serious injury after passing concussion protocol. There’s a chance he’s back in the lineup at some point this weekend.

That was the expectation all along after Muncy exited Thursday’s game following a violent collision with Ildemaro Vargas at first base. Fortunately, he avoided any serious injuries. The 35-year-old slugger is expected to return to the Dodgers’ lineup on Saturday. Santiago Espinal will start in his place at third base and bat ninth against Angels’ left-hander Reid Detmers on Friday evening.

Muncy sustained a cut on his nose from his glasses, but aside from that he appears to have escaped the interaction unscathed. The 35-year-old slugger noted that he’s unlikely to be in the starting lineup on Friday, but it doesn’t sound like he’s in danger of missing any serious time. He’s considered day-to-day.

Muncy was hustling in an attempt to beat out an infield single when he and Vargas were involved in a nasty head-on collision at the first base bag. The Dodgers announced that Muncy was pulled due to shortness of breath and will undergo evaluation for a potential concussion. He’ll continue to be evaluated but his availability for the weekend is certainly in doubt at the moment.

Muncy was playing against most lefties before hurting his wrist last weekend, but since he’s probably still not quite 100 percent, this is a good opportunity to rest him after back-to-back starts Thursday and Friday. Santiago Espinal is playing third tonight.