LOS ANGELES — With the news that Max Muncy will miss extended time with a knee injury, the Dodgers are once again tasked with solving a riddle they hoped they wouldn’t face this summer: who’s playing third?
Last season, when Muncy went down with a rib injury, the Dodgers struggled to fill the void—especially on offense. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged as much in his pregame comments Friday, agreeing with the characterization of last year’s third-base production in Muncy’s absence as “a drag on the offense.”
This time around, however, the Dodgers are taking a more proactive—and more versatile—approach. “The plan right now is Tommy [Edman]’s going to start taking some grounders at third, which he’s done in the past,” Roberts said. “Sometime next week, I’ll run him out there at third base against right-handed pitching to give Hyeseong [Kim] some runway at second base versus righties.”
It’s a shuffling of roles, but a thoughtful one. Edman, a longtime utility man who has earned the trust of the coaching staff, brings speed, contact hitting, and sure hands to the hot corner. Roberts isn’t concerned about the transition. “As far as adjustment, I don’t think it’s going to be much. I think a few days taking grounders and he should be fine,” he said. “His willingness to do whatever is asked is partly why we committed to him long-term.”
Righty-Lefty Platoon in Play
While Edman figures to take the bulk of starts at third against right-handed pitchers, the plan versus lefties is a platoon of veterans: “Against lefties, it’s going to be a combo of Kiké [Hernández] and Miguel Rojas at third base,” Roberts said.
Both are known for their defensive reliability, though neither brings the power threat Muncy provided in the middle of the order. Still, the hope is that a combination of experience and matchup advantages can stabilize the position until Muncy returns.
Will This Shift Change the Trade Deadline Strategy?
Not necessarily, according to Roberts. “I don’t think it changes much,” he said. “Yes, Max is a big loss, but I feel like on the defensive side, having Tommy over there, and matching up right versus left with Ha-Seong and the two right-handers, I think we’ll be covered offensively.”
He emphasized the confidence the team has in Muncy’s eventual return—and his ability to contribute in the second half. “It’s a leg injury, a knee, so it’s not something that should affect the swing,” Roberts explained. “The defensive part is where there’s more concern—staying below the ball, lateral movement—but there’s nothing pressing. We won’t rush him back.”
The Offense Must Step Up
Even if Edman, Rojas, and Kiké hold their own defensively, replacing Muncy’s production in the middle of the lineup will be a collective effort. “It’s been shown and proven that when [Muncy’s] not in the lineup, our offense tapers off,” Roberts admitted. “It just speaks to how valuable he is—pitch recognition, seeing pitches, the threat of a homer, driving in runs.”
So who needs to step up?
“Andy [Pages] is going to have to continue to do what he’s been doing,” Roberts said. “Teo [Hernández] needs to get back to being the All-Star caliber player he is. And we need continued production from [Michael] Conforto.”
Conforto, who’s shown signs of life recently after a sluggish start, could be the X-factor in keeping the offense afloat while Muncy recovers.
Final Thoughts
There’s no sugarcoating it: losing Muncy for six weeks stings. His power, plate discipline, and clubhouse presence are hard to replace. But unlike last season, the Dodgers are equipped with a more flexible roster and a clear plan. Edman’s versatility, Kim’s emerging bat, and the leadership of Kiké and Rojas give the team several ways to cover the loss—at least in the short term.
If the internal solutions hold, the Dodgers may not need to go shopping at the trade deadline. But if the offense sputters without Muncy’s left-handed thump, Andrew Friedman and Co. might be forced to explore external options.
For now, the message from Dave Roberts is calm and confident: “We’ll be in a good spot.” Dodgers fans will be hoping he’s right.
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