The return of Max Muncy at third base will come sooner than expected, uplifting the entire Dodgers team.

After a scary collision while playing third base earlier this month, there were concerns about the worst-case scenario for Max Muncy. However, the Dodgers not only received the best possible injury diagnosis—a bone bruise in his left knee instead of a season-ending injury—but also an earlier-than-expected timeline for his return.

Less than three weeks after being placed on the 10-day injured list, Muncy is already able to run, swing the bat, and practice third base defense while wearing a large brace on his injured knee. He had initially estimated a six-week recovery period, but his progress has significantly exceeded expectations.

"He is expected to return in about two weeks," manager Dave Roberts revealed on Sunday, "with some flexibility in the timeline. He has started ground ball drills and batting practice, and he will engage in live hitting next week, with rehab games starting over the weekend... He could be back as early as the beginning of the week after next, which is ahead of our expectations."

Muncy admitted that his recovery speed has surpassed the medical team's predictions: "Everyone thought I would need at least another week or two to reach my current status, so it's fortunate that the progress has gone smoothly. Given the circumstances of the injury, it’s very lucky to be in this condition." He added with a laugh, "Now, I just need to cherish this luck and avoid acting recklessly."

Although the Dodgers are hesitant to rush Muncy back, the team desperately needs him to help turn around their fortunes. Since he went on the injured list on July 4, the Dodgers have only a 4-10 record, with a team batting average of .204 and an OPS of .623, as most hitters have struggled.

At the start of the season, no one anticipated that Muncy's absence would create a void in the heart of the lineup. The veteran third baseman was experiencing the longest home run drought of his career at that time, finally hitting his first home run of the season on May 1—just after he began wearing corrective glasses. Since then, his batting line has surged to .287/.414/.575, contributing 13 home runs and 51 RBIs.

Bone bruises can be unpredictable, and even after Muncy's return, he may still face lingering effects. Catcher Will Smith's ankle bone bruise from June 2024 was still noticeable during spring training in 2025 and has only recently fully resolved.

Muncy stated that his knee "feels good" during training, but he still needs to overcome psychological barriers: "The mental impact is far greater than the physical sensations. Thinking about the possibility of missing the entire season during those scary moments creates a mental hurdle to overcome. We are monitoring all details: Is my ground ball fielding posture correct? Is my batting stance proper? Is my leg drive adequate? We need to avoid developing compensatory movements."