Max Muncy was not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Giants on Wednesday, with Santiago Espinal starting at third base and batting ninth in his place.
The move came after Muncy went 8-for-35 over 11 games since May 1, a.229 stretch that included two home runs and six RBI. For a hitter expected to supply power in the middle of the order, that production left the Dodgers with a clear opening to change the look of their infield for a game that mattered right away against San Francisco.
Espinal's start at third base was the immediate answer. It also showed how quickly a team can adjust when one regular is not producing enough to stay locked into the lineup, even if the sample is only 11 games. The Dodgers did not need a long explanation on Wednesday; they needed a different option in the lineup card, and they used one.
The timing matters because the numbers behind Muncy's recent stretch were not empty at-bats. He still produced two home runs and drove in six runs since May 1, but the overall line was light enough to leave room for a shakeup. Against the Giants, that shakeup belonged to Espinal, and Muncy was the one sitting out when the game began.
