Muncy cautiously optimistic after HBP

Dodgers infielder sustained right wrist contusion in fifth inning

August 29th, 2019

SAN DIEGO -- The initial team report on ’s right wrist was a contusion, but that was also the initial report on teammate last month, and he missed five weeks with a forearm fracture.

So, Muncy was cautiously optimistic that, despite continued pain, he’ll escape the same fate, even if he needs to miss a few days while the swelling and discomfort subside.

“I was thinking the same thing [when it happened] as I am right now. It hurt,” Muncy said after leaving Wednesday night’s 6-4 win over the Padres in the fifth inning after being drilled by a 94.1 mph Matt Strahm fastball.

“Got me good. Everything looks OK for now. Maybe just a bone bruise. We’ll double-check it tomorrow. From everything I’ve been told, we’ll check it tomorrow and keep our fingers crossed. It will still be a timetable for return, but we’re hoping it’s good news.”

Muncy walked down to first base, was attended to by an athletic trainer and was removed from the game. Jedd Gyorko replaced him as a pinch-runner and stayed in the game, playing first base. Cody Bellinger moved from first base to right field and Enrique Hernandez moved from right field to second base.

Muncy, who struck out his previous two at-bats, has 33 home runs and 87 RBIs this year, coming off his breakout 2018 season, when he led the club with 35 home runs.