PITTSBURGH -- The Dodgers have had quite the presence with their Triple-A affiliate this week.
Third baseman Max Muncy became the latest Dodger to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, joining utility man Tommy Edman and lefty reliever Alex Vesia. All three could be back with the big league club for its next homestand, a three-game series against the Rockies that begins Monday.
For the Dodgers, getting one of their most reliable bullpen arms in Vesia back would help to solidify the late-inning picture. But the returns of Muncy and Edman could be even more impactful for a team looking to get hot in time for the postseason.
Muncy is on the injured list for the second time this season, this time with a right oblique strain. His first IL stint with a left knee bone bruise coincided with when the Dodgers began to drop off, going from a season-high nine-game lead in the NL West on July 3 to their more tenuous position now, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Padres.
Entering Thursday, the Dodgers' top three hitters in terms of wRC+ were Shohei Ohtani (168), Will Smith (153) and Muncy (145). Having Muncy's bat back in the lineup could help stabilize a lineup that has been streaky -- and that will likely be without Smith at least through the weekend, as the catcher recovers from taking a foul tip off his right hand on Wednesday.
“I just think that his at-bat quality, it’s another left-handed bat, the ability to get a hit, to get on base, to slug -- it just checks a couple boxes with one player," manager Dave Roberts said last month, of what the lineup is missing without Muncy.
Third base has primarily been manned by a combination of Miguel Rojas and their No. 3 prospect Alex Freeland -- who was optioned on Thursday -- in Muncy's absence. His eventual return could mean that Rojas sees more time at second base going forward.
Edman's return could lead to some more interesting changes in how the Dodgers configure their defense. He is primarily getting defensive reps in center field during his rehab assignment, although he's still expected to be an option at second base when he returns.
More time for Edman in center would mean that Andy Pages shifts to left or right field. Teoscar Hernández is still considered the starting right fielder for the time being, but there's a possibility that could change.
"If there ever is a conversation that we might kick Teo to left, we might do that," Roberts said. "I think it just gives us more options."
Defensively, Hernández has not been great in right. His -10 outs above average rank in the 1st percentile among qualified Major Leaguers. He has also scuffled at the plate in 81 games since coming off the IL with a left groin strain in May, entering Thursday hitting .216 with a .649 OPS in that span.
The Dodgers' primary left fielder, Michael Conforto, has struggled all season, entering Thursday hitting .188 with a .623 OPS.
With Edman sidelined, the Dodgers didn't have a viable everyday center-field option on the active roster other than Pages. Edman's return could give them the flexibility to shake up the corner-outfield spots.
At the very least, Roberts is hopeful that having a more complete roster will lead to better overall performance -- as individuals and as a team -- down the stretch.
"I think competition certainly raises the bar individually and as a team," he said. "Just understanding what’s asked of the player, and I think it’s just to help us win baseball games -- whether it’s getting a walk, whether it’s moving a guy over, playing good defense. … The competition is a good thing."