Max Muncy Took a Sinker to the Wrist, And Kiké Hernández's Return Can't Come Soon Enough For LA

Alright, Emerald City, listen up! You know we're always focused on our teams here, but even a die-hard Mariners fan has to shake their head at what's going down with the Dodgers right now. It's a total gut punch, folks. Their slugger Max Muncy, the dude who crushes dingers, just took a 95.5 mph sinker right to the wrist on Friday. OUCH! X-rays were negative, thankfully, but still, brutal. And right when they need some good news, Kiké Hernández is FINALLY expected back in their lineup on Monday after elbow surgery. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions for LA!

Kiké Hernández Is Back, Bringing That Postseason Magic

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it himself, "There's a different energy with Kiké." He's talking about that levity, that intensity, that winning player vibe. You know the kind of player we love here in Seattle, someone who just elevates the whole squad. Kiké, at 34 years old, signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal back in February, knowing he was recovering from surgery last fall. That elbow procedure kept him out of the World Baseball Classic, which is a bummer, but now he's back! He only hit .214 with a .298 on-base percentage and three RBIs in 12 rehab games with Oklahoma City, and last season with LA, it was .203 with a .255 on-base percentage, 10 homers, and 35 RBIs in 92 games. But here's the kicker: this guy *delivers* when it matters most. He’s a postseason legend, batting .272 with an .826 OPS, 16 homers, and 42 RBIs in 103 playoff games. He even helped the Dodgers win three World Series in 2020, 2024, and 2025. That kind of clutch factor is what every team craves.

Muncy's Wrist: A Huge Scare For The Dodgers' Lineup

But let's be real, the cloud hanging over Dodger Stadium is that Max Muncy wrist situation. The dude took a 95.5 mph sinker from Milwaukee's Aaron Ashby right to the right wrist on Friday. Ouch! X-rays were negative, which is a huge sigh of relief, and the Dodgers are "optimistic" he dodged anything major. Roberts was like, "We were resolved to not having him available this weekend." He added, "My expectation is that he's getting a little bit better today and maybe swing a bat tomorrow to see. I don't expect him in the lineup tomorrow either." Talk about a delicate situation, especially with Muncy batting .258 with a .363 on-base percentage, .515 slugging percentage, 12 homers, and 19 RBIs in 48 games this year. That's a serious bat to lose, even for a few games, and you just know LA fans are sweating it. So, while our Mariners are grinding through the early season, the Dodgers are dealing with some real ups and downs. Hernández brings that "edge" Roberts is talking about, but can he fully compensate for Muncy's potential absence in the lineup? They kick off a home series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, and you *know* LA fans are gonna be watching every single swing. This early season drama? It's heating up fast across the league, folks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.