Amid a discouraging five-game losing streak that was eventually snapped after their 5-2 win against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, fortunes may be turning the Dodgers' way, as they expect two key pieces on their roster to return this week.
Third baseman Max Muncy and southpaw reliever Alex Vesia are expected to be activated off the IL on Monday as Los Angeles heads back home for a quick home series against the Colorado Rockies, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Muncy, 35, was placed on the 10-day injured list back on August 15 with a familiar oblique injury. Despite Muncy's oblique strain not being as severe as last season's, his recovery had to be pushed back somewhat due to him being under the weather.
After Muncy was cleared for baseball activities, Muncy underwent three rehab games with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, OKC Comets, and went a combined 2-for-7 with two walks and a run.
In his place, both Miguel Rojas and the newly activated utility player Kiké Hernandez have been sharing the role at third base, but now with Muncy's return to the hot corner, Los Angeles can have more flexibility with their bench bats.
Vesia, 29, has been off the mound since August 21 as he is also dealing with an oblique strain. So far in 2025, Vesia has been the anchor for a Dodgers bullpen that has seen the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
In 59 appearances thus far in 2025, Vesia is notching a 2.75 ERA in 52.1 innings and fanning out 69 hitters.
The southpaw made a handful of rehab outings as well, pitching two perfect innings on September 3 and 5th for OKC.
Los Angeles will have some difficult decisions to make as Vesia and Muncy near their return, with players like Jack Dreyer, Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius, Emmet Sheehan, and Edgaro Henriquez still having options on their contracts.