The Los Angeles Dodgers officially clinched the NL West on Thursday with a dominant 8–0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking their 12th division title in 13 seasons.
The Dodgers no longer have the opportunity to claim a top-two seed in the NL and will be headed to the wild card series when the postseason begins next week. The team will look to once again make a deep postseason run, and third baseman Max Muncy will be expected to carry some of the load offensively. The 35-year-old left-handed slugger is in his eighth season in Los Angeles and has played a crucial role in the team’s World Series title runs in 2020 and 2024.
Dave Roberts Shares Max Muncy Injury Update Before Mariners Game
During the Dodgers’ win on Thursday, Muncy was notably absent from the lineup, and manager Dave Roberts revealed the reasoning was to give him a day off from the plate as he has struggled recently. Ahead of the series opener on Friday against the Seattle Mariners, Muncy was absent from the lineup for a second consecutive game.
With the Dodgers no longer having a reason to play their starters with playoff positioning locked up, Roberts benched superstars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, with many fans anticipating that was also the reason for Muncy’s absence. However, the Dodgers announced via Roberts that Muncy was held out on Friday due to a lower body issue and has been given a couple days to work through it (via Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times).
Other Dodgers injury updates:
— Max Muncy is dealing with an unspecified lower-body issue, Dave Roberts said. They’ve given him a couple days to work thru it
— Tommy Edman is out again today to give his ankle some rest, but he’s expected back in the lineup tomorrow
— Roberts…
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) September 26, 2025
This adds to the extremely long list of setbacks Muncy has dealt with in 2025, including two injured list stints with a left knee bone bruise and a strained oblique. He has also left multiple games early in the month of September after being hit in the wrist and head by pitches.
Over 100 games this year, Muncy has posted a .243 batting average, .376 on-base percentage, .846 OPS, 19 home runs and 67 RBIs, making his extended absences a huge blow to the lineup. The Dodgers will hope the All-Star third baseman recovers well as they prepare to host a wild card series on Tuesday.
