Within minutes of being named the National League Player of the Week on Monday afternoon, it was reported – and confirmed – that the Dodgers would be without the services of MLB’s current home run leader Max Muncy, but for the greatest reason possible. The 32-year-old Midland, TX native has been placed on paternity leave to be with his wife Kellie for the birth of their second child.

Minutes later, it was reported that one of the Dodgers’ best bullpen arms, that of 24-year-old Dodgers right-hander Brusdar Graterol, was also being lost to paternity leave to be with his wife Allison for the birth of their first child.

Muncy, who slugged his MLB-leading 11th home run of the month-old 2023 season on Sunday, and Graterol, who earned his first save of the season in that one, are both expected to miss the entire three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park beginning on Tuesday afternoon, and will, in all likelihood, also miss the three games against the St Louis Cardinals and quite possibly the three games against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium beginning on Friday and running through Wednesday of next week.

Although losing two of their best players is a tremendous blow to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts‘ team, anyone who has ‘been-there done-that’ knows how incredibly special this time is for the Muncys and Graterols.

The entire staff at ThinkBlueLA wishes nothing but the the very best to the Muncys and Graterols at this incredibly special time.

Play Ball!

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