The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the last two months patching together a lineup that looked more like a Triple-A roster than a World Series favorite. But as the calendar flips to August 7, 2026, the cavalry has officially arrived. With Mookie Betts and Max Muncy back in the fold, and starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto inching closer to returns, the National League West is suddenly looking very winnable. Here is the latest on the boys in blue.
Betts and Muncy Inject Life Back Into a Slumping Lineup
The biggest news out of Dodger Stadium this week is the return of the team's two most important positional players. Mookie Betts was activated from the 60-day IL on Wednesday, exactly nine weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. In his first game back against the San Diego Padres, Betts went 1-for-4 with a single and a walk, providing an immediate spark at the top of the order. His timing might not be perfect yet, but his presence alone changes the entire complexion of this lineup.
Max Muncy joined the party on Thursday, returning from a right oblique strain that had sidelined him since July 22. He started at third base and batted seventh, going 0-for-3 with a walk. Muncy's slow start at the plate is expected as he shakes off the rust, but his disciplined eye and power potential are exactly what this offense has been missing. With Betts and Muncy anchoring the order alongside Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' recent offensive slump - which saw them score three runs or fewer in six of their last ten games - should be a thing of the past.
📊 10 players on the active IL just last week - With Betts and Muncy back, that number drops to 8, giving LA its most complete lineup since early June.
The Freeman Wrist Watch (Updated)
One lingering concern is Freddie Freeman. The veteran first baseman was held out of Thursday's lineup as a precaution after right wrist soreness flared up during Wednesday's game. The good news? No MRI was required, and the team is calling him day-to-day. He is expected to be available off the bench, but the Dodgers are wisely managing his workload during a grueling stretch. For a team that has already lost so many key pieces, keeping Freeman healthy is priority number one.
| Player | Injury | IL Date | Return Date | First Game Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mookie Betts | Fractured hamate (left hand) | July 3 | Aug. 5 | 1-for-4, 1 BB |
| Max Muncy | Right oblique strain | July 22 | Aug. 6 | 0-for-3, 1 BB |
| Freddie Freeman | Right wrist soreness | N/A (day-to-day) | Expected this week | Held out Aug. 6 |
Pitching Staff Rounding Into Form: Glasnow and Yamamoto Progress
While the bats are getting healthy, the pitching staff is making steady progress toward full strength. Tyler Glasnow threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Thursday and is scheduled to face live hitters on August 10. The right-hander has been on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation since late July, but this timeline suggests he could be back in the rotation by mid-to-late August. Given the Dodgers' starting pitching depth issues, Glasnow's return cannot come soon enough.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is also on the mend. The Japanese ace threw his second bullpen since landing on the IL with right triceps tightness, reporting no discomfort afterward. He is slated for another bullpen on August 9, with a minor-league rehab start tentatively targeted for mid-August. If everything goes according to plan, the Dodgers could have a fully healthy rotation - featuring Glasnow, Yamamoto, and Bobby Miller - by the time September rolls around.
📊 62 pitches for Bobby Miller on Wednesday - The flamethrower's rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City put him right on schedule for a mid-August return.
