Muncy Admits Dodgers' Roster Shows Wear and Tear
Max Muncy acknowledged that the Dodgers' extensive workload from back-to-back World Series runs has taken a toll on the roster. The team has used 52 different players this season, and several stars like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts have struggled or been injured. Muncy noted the 'mileage' on the team as they try to maintain success.
The Dodgers' 2026 roster churn is extreme, with 52 players used—23 position players and 32 pitchers—including Josue De Paula's debut. This exceeds the 26-man active roster limit, reflecting a deliberate strategy. Their 2024 and 2025 campaigns both started in Asia and ended with World Series titles, creating a uniquely compressed calendar.
The toll shows in key veterans: Ohtani is injured, Betts is having a career-worst season, and Freeman's OPS is his lowest since 2012. Muncy, at 36, still produces but acknowledges the strain. The team relies on a deep reserve pool and a hyperbaric chamber to manage fatigue, accepting fewer regular-season wins to preserve health for a potential three-peat.
The Dodgers' situation may reshape how fans and analysts view regular-season dominance versus postseason success. It could normalize the idea that even elite teams must sacrifice win totals to manage player health, potentially influencing roster strategies across baseball. For fans, it may temper expectations of 100-win seasons, while for players, it highlights the physical cost of extended playoff runs. The broader impact could be a shift in how the sport values durability over raw statistics.