Not long after the Los Angeles Dodgers officially placed Corey Seager on the 10-day injured list due a fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand, the team scratched Chris Taylor from the lineup.
The change came minutes before first pitch of the series finale against the Miami Marlins, and the Dodgers later announced it was due to right wrist soreness. “He was just taking swings in the cage and ended up saying something about his wrist,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the 3-2 loss.
“For Chris to say he can’t play, minutes before the game, is obviously a little concerning. We wanted to make sure we stayed away from him. With some treatment, we’ll see how he responds and I’ll make that decision [Monday] night.”
It marked a second time this season Taylor was scratched from a game, with the first instance due to lower back stiffness. He returned to the lineup two days later and continued to play without issue.
While the Dodgers certainly will not force Taylor to play through injury, they can ill-afford to lose another regular. In addition to Seager, the likes of Cody Bellinger, Tony Gonsolin, Brusdar Graterol, Corey Knebel, Zach McKinstry and David Price are among those on the IL.
With Gavin Lux expected to receive the bulk of the starts at shortstop while Seager recovers from the hand fracture, Taylor figured to spend more time at second base in addition to playing the outfield.
Taylor trying to find power
Although Taylor has hit safely in nine of 12 games played during the month of May, he’s recorded just two extra-base hits during those contests. “I’ve been feeling OK,” Taylor said after the Freeway Series.
“Just trying to have good at-bats. My swing is not where it was a week or two ago. I haven’t been driving the ball as I would like to, but despite that, just trying to continue to work through it, have good at-bats and find a way to get on base.
“I’ve had singles here and there, worked in some walks, but there’s not slug recently. I’m just trying to work through that.”
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