The Los Angeles Dodgers have dealt with a slew injuries to multiple pitchers, and now may have reason for concern with Chris Taylor. He was removed in the bottom of the sixth inning of the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Taylor went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts prior to being replaced by Max Muncy, who entered at second base so Gavin Lux could be shifted to left field. Taylor sustained a potential injury after fouling a pitch off the inside of his left knee in the top of the sixth.
He immediately went down the ground in pain and was slow to get back into the batter’s box after being checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer.
According to Juan Toribio of MLB.com, Taylor has initially been diagnosed with a bone bruise in left knee:
#Dodgers Chris Taylor left the game with a left knee bone bruise.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) May 10, 2022
Taylor struck out against José Quintana and limped back to the dugout. He used the railing for support while walking down the steps and was met by the trainer for another conversation.
Monday’s game was Taylor’s 25th start out of 26 the Dodgers have played so far this season. He swung the bat well early on but had been mired in a rut of late and been prone to striking out.
If Taylor is to miss any time, the Dodgers presumably will lean on Lux in left field. The team could also elect to call up Kevin Pillar or Jake Lamb, but that would require a move on the 40-man roster as well.
Taylor recovered from elbow surgery
Taylor dealt with neck trouble during the second half of last season, and also wound up undergoing surgery on his right elbow during the winter.
The Dodgers were cautious with how much throwing Taylor did during Spring Training, but he was said to have made a full recovery come Opening Day. Nevertheless, L.A. has exclusively played Taylor in the outfield so as not to stress his arm with different angles.
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