Max Muncy of the Los Angeles Dodgers has started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City nearly four weeks after suffering a bone bruise to his left knee. The injury initially landed Muncy on the 10-day injured list, with an estimated recovery time of around six weeks. Despite this, his return could come sooner than expected due to a positive recovery trajectory.
The 34-year-old was relieved that an MRI did not uncover any structural damage in his knee, giving hope for a 2025 comeback. Muncy’s ongoing rehabilitation has accelerated as he resumed both fielding ground balls at third base and taking batting practice outdoors.
Details of the Rehab Assignment and Timeline for Return
According to MLB.com’s Sonja Chen, Muncy officially began his rehab stint with the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Muncy will play third base and have three plate appearances for the Comets on Tuesday. While the exact length of his rehab games remains uncertain, Roberts mentioned the possibility of Muncy reintegrating with the major league squad for the upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend.
The more probable scenario, however, suggests Muncy might rejoin the Dodgers for the start of their next home stand facing the St. Louis Cardinals. Prior to his injury, Muncy had been one of the team’s most productive hitters, batting .312/.438/.616 with 11 home runs, three doubles, and 43 RBIs over 41 games since May 15.
Long-Term Effects of Muncy’s Bone Bruise
Though Muncy’s recovery is progressing well, lingering issues from his bone bruise may persist throughout the remainder of this season and possibly extend into the next. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has shared concerns about the injury’s durability, noting that sensitivity at the injury site could remain for some time.
“I think it’s probably to the touch, I think it’ll carry onto next year,”
—Dave Roberts
“I think that I’ve had those, and there’s certainly a point where you can play, but then there’s still the part of to the touch, it still gets sensitive. So I think that’s going to be around for a while, unfortunately.”
—Dave Roberts
What Muncy’s Return Could Mean for the Dodgers
Max Muncy’s return to active play would provide a boost to the Dodgers’ lineup, especially as the team prepares for key matchups during their upcoming homestand. His strong offensive performance before the injury made him a crucial contributor, and his presence could help stabilize the middle infield and add power at the plate.
As Muncy takes the first on-field steps back through his rehab assignment in Oklahoma City, his progress will be closely monitored. Should he regain full health quickly, the Dodgers could welcome back a revitalized third baseman just in time for critical games later this week or early in their next home series.