The Los Angeles Dodgers have been navigating the past two months without key third baseman Max Muncy due to a Grade 1 right oblique strain. While Muncy’s recovery progresses, his return to the diamond is still several weeks away.
During Muncy’s absence, the Dodgers have utilized a committee approach at third base. Veterans such as Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández, along with recent acquisition Cavan Biggio and Miguel Rojas, have all taken turns filling the gap.
Despite missing Muncy’s presence at the hot corner, the Dodgers continue to lead the pack in the National League West. The team’s deep roster and tactical flexibility allow them to adapt and maintain their competitive edge.
However, the position might soon see another contender as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted at a possible role for the team’s promising young player, Miguel Vargas. Vargas, traditionally an outfielder, has been getting more practice at third base, raising the possibility of him stepping into the role.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported this development on his Twitter/X account, noting, “Dave Roberts also opened the door to Miguel Vargas potentially being a 3B option. He’s started taking some more ground balls there again.”
At 24 years old, Vargas has been predominantly fielded in left field and as a designated hitter in 2024, but he trained extensively at second base with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City last season. His potential shift to third base may provide him the perfect opportunity to stabilize his major league career, leveraging his strong arm and agility.
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This rotation at third base underscores the Dodgers’ strategy of flexibility and depth, ensuring that the team remains robust across all positions. As Vargas prepares for a new infield role, the Dodgers look poised to continue their dominance in the league with innovative position management.
