Severe crash forces Max Muncy to leave Dodgers game early

Collision During Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Game

PHOENIX — In the fifth inning of Thursday’s game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Max Muncy and Ildemaro Vargas both sprinted toward first base.

Unfortunately, they collided head-on, resulting in Muncy experiencing shortness of breath and a cut on his nose. It was a harsh moment that neither player could avoid in time.

“It was pretty violent,” commented Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

The bright side, however, is that both Muncy and Vargas didn’t seem to suffer major injuries during the play. Muncy cleared concussion protocols and mentioned afterward that he “took a little hit,” but added he “will be fine.” Vargas, on the other hand, remarked that although he felt like he had been “hit by a truck,” all subsequent tests returned negative.

“I never meant to run into him,” said Muncy. “It just happened, and I hope he’s okay.”

With two outs in the fifth, Muncy hit a ground ball that was fielded by Vargas, who was manning first base for Arizona.

Vargas attempted to claim the play by returning to first base, but Muncy was sprinting toward him. They crossed paths just moments apart, with Muncy reaching the base a fraction of a second earlier.

But with no time to brace for impact, they collided, leaving both players sprawled on the ground. Muncy described his thoughts during the play, saying, “As I was running, I saw him in the foul area, so I got towards the inside of the bag, thinking he would stay there. It felt like we both went in the wrong direction, even though neither of us really knew where we were going.”

After several minutes of being attended to by their trainers, Muncy and Vargas eventually stood up and limped off the field. Vargas sustained bruises to his ribcage and thigh but was otherwise in decent condition.

“It was just a bad situation. I guess they didn’t know which way to go,” Muncy said, later sending Vargas a gift after the game to express his regrets.

Vargas acknowledged this gesture, stating through an interpreter, “I expressed my gratitude to him. That’s something I don’t want to happen.”

This incident marked the second time in a few weeks that Muncy had to exit a game early. Previously, on May 22, he was hit in the wrist by a pitch in Milwaukee and had to leave, missing the next three games but avoiding an injured reserve designation.

The Dodgers are hopeful for a similar outcome this time. Roberts mentioned that Muncy would sit out Friday’s game—as was already planned—but that he should be ready for the remainder of the weekend series against the Angels.