LOS ANGELES — Max Muncy activated; Dodgers option catcher Chuckie Robinson as Rockies series begins
The Dodgers opened their set against the Colorado Rockies with a meaningful lineup boost: Max Muncy has been activated from the 10-day injured list. To make room, Los Angeles optioned catcher Chuckie Robinson to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Robinson’s latest trip to the Majors was all about insurance. He was recalled last week when Dalton Rushing landed on the 10-day IL with a right shin contusion, giving the Dodgers a third catching option while they navigated the short-term absence. Robinson didn’t appear in a game during this stint—continuing a quirky 2024 arc that has seen him bounce between organizations and roster statuses without debuting for L.A.
Originally claimed off waivers from the Angels on May 31—the same day Tyler Glasnow moved to the 60-day IL—Robinson was designated for assignment on June 3, cleared waivers, and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A. He’s responded in Oklahoma City with steady production, slashing .259/.344/.361 in 47 games, with five doubles, four homers, 28 RBI and 43 runs scored. Those numbers, plus his experience handling pitching staffs, made him a reliable up-and-down depth piece as the big club dealt with injuries.
With Rushing on the mend and Muncy returning, the Dodgers can reallocate that roster spot back to the offense. Robinson heads back to the Comets having done exactly what the club needed: be ready when called, and keep performing in Triple-A.
For the second time this season, the Dodgers welcome back Muncy from the IL, and the timing could be consequential. The 35-year-old has been out since August 12 with a Grade 1 right oblique strain, an injury that halted what had been a blazing stretch at the plate. Earlier in the year, he also missed time with a left knee bone bruise.
Muncy got his feet under him last week on a brief rehab assignment with Oklahoma City, going 2-for-7 across three games. He was nearly ready for the team’s series against the Orioles, but an untimely illness delayed the start of that rehab by a few days. Now fully healthy, he rejoins a lineup that knows exactly what he can do when he’s locked in.
And “locked in” barely covers it. Before the oblique tweak, Muncy authored a thunderous eight-game run in August: a .348/.531/.870 line with eight doubles, four home runs and nine RBI. Over the broader season sample, he’s been a model of on-base skill and punch—hitting .258/.389/.491 with 10 doubles, two triples, 17 homers and 64 RBI in 89 games. His .880 OPS trails only Shohei Ohtani (1.001) and Will Smith (.902) among Dodgers regulars, underscoring how much his left-handed thump and patience lengthen the order.
Muncy’s return changes how opposing managers navigate late innings against Los Angeles. His ability to spoil pitches, take walks, and punish mistakes forces tougher matchup decisions and offers additional protection for the stars around him. Even when he’s not leaving the yard, the extra base-hit threat—highlighted by that flurry of August doubles—keeps pressure on the defense and creates RBI chances for the hitters behind him.
Defensively, his versatility also gives Dave Roberts optionality with alignments and late-game moves. But the headline is still the bat: when Muncy is tracking the ball and driving it to the gaps, the Dodgers’ attack looks a tier deeper.
On the catching side, optioning Robinson suggests confidence that the current group can cover the near term while Rushing recovers. Robinson’s productive year in Triple-A means he remains a credible next-man-up if circumstances change.
Speaking of which, it looks like it’s going to be Ben Rortvedt behind the plate again on Monday, with Will Smith hopefully returning on Tuesday. Not far behind will be reliever Alex Vesia and utilityman Tommy Edman, both of whom we expect to see activated sometime this week.
This is a clean, purposeful set of moves. The Dodgers add a middle-of-the-order on-base machine who was scorching before his injury, and they send down a depth catcher who did his job by being ready without forcing the club to alter its plans. If Muncy’s second return mirrors his first, Los Angeles just added a serious spark as they hit the stretch run against Colorado—and beyond.
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