Dodgers News: Max Muncy fears, Evan Phillips disaster, Red Sox claim reliever

Although the Dodgers lost out on infielder Isaac Paredes to the Cubs on the same day a bidding war between LA and the Yankees was reported, the rumor made sense, given the Dodgers' increasing urgency at third base. It didn't exactly give anyone a good feeling about Max Muncy, who's been missing since May 17 with an oblique strain. He's had a rocky recovery that actually hasn't seemed to be much of a recovery at all; he's started and stopped multiple times and still doesn't have a timeline to return.

Dave Roberts told reporters on Sunday that Muncy's progress was "stagnant," which is just about the worst word he could've used for a player who's been out for more than two months. Muncy has said that he's been frustrated with himself because of how slowly things have been moving, and it is a little baffling, given that Roberts also said that Muncy's tests haven't raised any red flags.

The Dodgers lost out on Paredes, so getting a third baseman is still on their to-do list. They'll have to act fast if they want to make anything happen, given how quickly things have been moving over the past few days.

Dodgers news: Max Muncy's progress "stagnant," Evan Phillips still falling apart, Red Sox claim Yohan Ramírez

The bullpen is also still very much a trade deadline concern, especially with their most recent blowup against the Astros on Saturday afternoon. Evan Phillips came in to relieve Justin Wrobleski in the sixth inning, a clear demotion within the bullpen given Phillips' mammoth 9.39 ERA going into that game. He inherited two men on from Wrobleski, but proceeded to give up four runs, allowing the Astros to cut down the Dodgers' lead to one. With Blake Treinen on the mound in the bottom of the ninth and the game tied at six apiece, Alex Bregman homered to give the Astros the win in a walk-off.

Although Mason Miller will almost certainly stay in Oakland, the Dodgers do have a clear option in Kenley Jansen, who has been angling for a reunion with his former team and could still be traded by the Red Sox. With Phillips' recent struggles, Jansen could be an easy answer.

Speaking of Boston, the Red Sox picked up yet another DFA'ed Dodger, this time Yohan Ramírez, who was dumped on July 25, the day after a 2/3 inning, three-hit, five-run outing against the Giants. Paxton has officially been added to the Red Sox roster, while Ramírez's future there is still uncertain. Have fun with that, Boston!