Dodgers' Max Muncy leaves game with apparent wrist injury

Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy left Sunday’s game following a collision at first base. After Jace Peterson put the ball into play, Peterson and Muncy collided while Muncy was attempting to catch the throw, with Muncy’s left arm taking the brunt of the contact. Muncy was in obvious pain while holding his wrist, and he was immediately removed from the game.

Losing Muncy just for the remainder of this all-important Game 162 is enough of a blow for the Dodgers, but at least at first glance, it looks like the type of injury that could put Muncy out of action for at least some of the playoffs. If Los Angeles isn’t able to secure the NL West Sunday, the team’s postseason run could potentially end as early as Wednesday, when the Dodgers would face the Cardinals in the NL wild-card game.

Beating the red-hot Cards would be even more difficult for the Dodgers if they were missing one of their star sluggers. Muncy is in the midst of another big season, entering Sunday’s action with a .250/.369/.528 slash line and a team-leading 36 home runs.

If Muncy is indeed out of action, the Dodgers have enough depth to fill first base, even if there’s no simply way to replace Muncy. Cody Bellinger is the most obvious fill-in, except Bellinger has been struggling through a rough season. Albert Pujols has seen the second-most action at first base for L.A., though Pujols has mostly been limited to work against left-handed pitching, and veteran righty Adam Wainwright (Pujols’ former Cardinals) is the scheduled starter on Wednesday.