Dodgers News: Max Muncy Finally Feels Like He's Overcoming His Draining Illness

It was a rough week-plus for the Dodgers slugger.

Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy has been battling an illness for the last almost two weeks. It's shown in his play.

On May 5, in the series opener against the Padres in San Diego, Muncy was removed from the game in the 8th inning. After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained that he was battling an illness, and was 50/50 to play in the game in the first place

Muncy ended up giving it a go, and would be going through those same issues for the next 10 days or so.

From May 5 to May 14, Muncy was a rough 2-for-28 from the plate with zero home runs and zero extra-base hits. It was a far cry from the MVP candidate, home run leader we had seen the weeks before.

However, on Monday night against the Minnesota Twins, Muncy seemed to have finally turned the corner.

In Muncy's first at-bat, he crushed a fastball to deep right field for his first home run in 28 at-bats.

Max sends it to the crowd!💥 pic.twitter.com/3Ds4kWR2aK

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 16, 2023

In his second at-bat, it was a changeup that got the brunt of Muncy's barrel, giving him his second home run in as many plate appearances.

Max Muncy, your MLB home run leader. pic.twitter.com/ySmxHqIO68

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 16, 2023

Muncy ended up going 3-for-5 in Monday night's crazy win, finally getting back to being the power-hitting cleanup hitter the Dodgers missed dearly.

After the game, Muncy admitted the illness was taking a toll on his energy levels.

"I've definitely been grinding and the guys in here know it," Muncy said. "I feel like I'm putting together really good at-bats the last two weeks and there's just no energy there, there's nothing in the swing -- you're body's fighting an illness and you're trying to do everything you can to help the team win."

Fortunately, on Monday, it felt like Muncy finally got his energy back.

"There was a little bit more energy, maybe we're finally kicking [the illness]," Muncy said. "The cough has definitely been not as abundant. Maybe we're turning a page, hopefully."

The Dodgers have been able to withstand Muncy's struggles, but they're obviously a much better team when he's on. Hopefully Monday was the first day of healthy stretch for Muncy, because if it is, the Dodgers may just be unstoppable.