Max Muncy injures left elbow, ‘very unlikely’ to play in NL wild card game

Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy injured his left elbow in a collision with Jace Peterson of the Brewers on Sunday, writhing in pain on the ground before leaving the game and walking off the field holding his left arm.

On the eve of the postseason, it’s unknown how much, if any, time Muncy could miss. After Sunday’s game, results of X-rays and further testing on Muncy’s elbow were unclear.

Manager Dave Roberts said it was “very unlikely” that Muncy would be ready to play by Wednesday’s National League wild card game, but that he didn’t yet want to count out his first baseman for the division series, which starts Friday and would include the Dodgers if they win the wild card game.

“Where we’re at right now, [the division series is] unlikely, but I just don’t want to count Max out,” Roberts said. “We don’t want to close the door on a potential, down the road postseason appearance.”

The play happened in the top of the third inning, when Will Smith fielded Peterson’s tapper in front of the plate, then threw to first base. The ball and Peterson arrived at roughly the same time, with Peterson colliding with Muncy’s left arm as he tried to catch the throw.

Muncy immediately recoiled in pain, his glove flying off his hand and the ball rolling away. Muncy collapsed to the ground and appeared to be yelling in pain as a team trainer and Roberts ran onto the field.

Albert Pujols replaced Muncy at first base.

“I think it’s deeper than soft tissue, but right now from what I hear from tests, X-rays, and other scans, it’s unclear, which doesn’t sound right, but it’s the truth,” Roberts said. “That’s all I know right now. I’m not going to close the door on Max looking out, but right now it’s certainly doesn’t look great.”

Muncy has been one of the Dodgers best hitters this season, hitting .249/.368/.527, a 140 wRC+ while leading the team in home runs (36), runs scored (95), runs batted in (94), and defensive starts (135).

“As it stands right now, it’s scary, it’s frustrating. All of the above,” Roberts said. “He’s just such a dynamic player, in the batter’s box, defensively. He just adds a lot to our ball club.”