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Max Muncy’s oblique strain lands him on the injured list just before a pivotal series with the San Diego Padres, forcing Los Angeles to reshuffle a lineup that leaned on his power and RBI pace. The team insists the Grade 1 injury isn’t season-ending, but it will sideline him for several weeks, elevating the importance of depth pieces in a tight divisional race.

In 89 games this season, Muncy hit .258 with 17 homers and 64 RBIs, underscoring how critical his bat is to the Dodgers’ attack. The latest setback comes after a season-long reminder that his absence previously coincided with a major drop in offense. To help weather the shuffle, Los Angeles claimed Buddy Kennedy off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, bolstering infield depth as they navigate the Muncy vacancy.

Kennedy’s arrival adds a versatile option for infield coverage as the Dodgers aim to maintain offensive momentum. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, part with a young infielder who could provide the Dodgers a flexible fallback in the short term. The Padres loom as a true stress test for the lineup shuffle, making this a high-stakes moment for fantasy managers tracking Dodgers contributors and the depth options around them.

For fantasy rosters, the immediate implication is a potential dip in 3B production and run-scoring upside while Kennedy and others adjust to new roles. If Muncy returns within the anticipated weeks but not promptly, the Dodgers’ middle-of-the-order stability could hinge on timely contributions from Kennedy and the infield depth, shaping short-term projections and matchup-driven decisions.