The Los Angeles Dodgers are adding much-needed reinforcements to their lineup.
As the race for the National League West heats up in mid-August, LA is overcoming some of the injury woes that have plagued them all year. Now they're starting to resemble a team that could compete for a World Series in October.
While the pitching injuries have largely defined their up-and-down 2024 campaign, some key injuries in the lineup have played a role as well. Now they're set to get third baseman Max Muncy and utilityman Tommy Edman off the Injured List.
The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya on Monday reported the Dodgers are expected to activate that pair. Infielder Nick Ahmed's locker was cleaned out per Ardaya, and rookie outfielder Andy Pages was in the process of cleaning his out.
Muncy has been dealing with an oblique injury since the middle of May. His absence from the lineup corresponded with a prolonged offensive swoon for the Dodgers. He figures to take over the everyday third base job again while adding some pop to the middle of LA's batting order. They've gotten 15 home runs out of the third base spot this year. Muncy is responsible for nine of those home runs despite playing only 40 of the club's 125 games.
With Pages likely headed to Triple-A, Edman is a candidate to man centerfield some for the Dodgers. He was a Gold Glove second baseman in 2021, but he's played 316.2 innings in the centerfield and 495.2 innings in right field in his career. Edman could also fill in at shortstop where he's played more than 1,100 innings as a pro.
Edman, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, has yet to play in the 2024 season after offseason wrist surgery. Regardless of where he plays, he provides a ton of versatility that should make life a little easier for manager Dave Roberts as he assembles a lineup each day.
Most of this season has been mix-and-match for Roberts as he's aimed to overcome the rash of injuries that have hit his club.
Pages was a reliable everyday centerfielder for much of the season, but he's struggled of late. He's batting just .200 with a .296 on-base percentage in the second half. Pages also has just one home run in 81 plate appearances since the All-Star break.
It looked like the Dodgers might've backed their way into an everyday CF with Pages, but his struggles over the last month will force them to rely on veterans like Edman, Kiké Hernández and Kevin Kiermaier down the stretch.
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