Dodgers Scratch All-Star Slugger From Wednesday’s Lineup in Concerning Development

Aug 11, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) celebrates with shortstop Mookie Betts (50) after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers released a lineup on Wednesday without superstar Mookie Betts in it.

After releasing an updated list, Betts was back in at the No. 2 hole, but All-Star third baseman Max Muncy was off of it. He has been replaced by Alex Freeland at the hot corner.

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Updated lineup:

Ohtani DH
Betts SS
Freeman 1B
Smith C
Hernández, T. RF
Pages CF
Call LF
Freeland 3B
Rojas 2B
Ohtani P https://t.co/mHJD1aNjbR

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 13, 2025

Dodgers Max Muncy Has New Injury Concern

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Muncy is dealing with some soreness in his right side that popped up during his cage work on Wednesday. He's considered day to day and will undergo more testing on Thursay.

Muncy is coming off of a 0-for-4 night with a walk and a pair of strikeouts, but opened up the Freeway series against the Los Angeles Angels with a three-run home run on Monday.

Muncy had an abysmal start to the season, but has seemed to figure things out starting in the month of June.

With a .210 batting average through his first 53 games of the year, Muncy was struggling, to say the least. Finally, on May 31, the All-Star had a breakthrough, clobbering a pair of home runs against the New York Yankees.

Since the last day of May, Muncy is hitting .330 with an OPS of 1.179, but it hasn't come without its share of drama.

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On the night that future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw would eventually throw the 3,000th strikeout of his career, Muncy was involved in a scary collision with Chicago White Sox outfielder Michael A. Taylor, who was attempting to steal third base.

Despite the awkward nature of how Muncy's knee flailed, he missed a little over a month and has immediately returned to form. In the eight games since coming back from the IL, Muncy is hitting .348 with a 1.401 OPS.

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