The Los Angeles Dodgers have stormed out to a commanding lead in the National League West and second-best record in baseball despite being with Walker Buehler, Chris Taylor and several other key contributors.
Taylor has been on the 10-day injured list since July 6 due to a fracture in his left foot. He initially was diagnosed with a foot contusion and tried to play through the discomfort after missing just one game.
But as the pain persisted, Taylor was removed from the July 4 game and placed on the IL two days later. One week after resuming baseball activities by hitting in the cage and playing catch, Taylor advanced to taking batting practice at Dodger Stadium over the weekend.
“It was good. He looked good swinging the bat, moving around, doing some baseball activity,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
While it was an encouraging step forward, Taylor hasn’t yet been able to start running. Once he’s able to do so, the Dodgers intend on having Taylor start a rehab assignment with a Minor League affiliate, potentially as early as this weekend.
“If he checks that box, then we’ll send him,” Roberts said.
Taylor playing through pain
When a CT scan revealed the full extent of Taylor’s injury, Roberts said the Dodgers would potentially have a second examination prior to clearing him for a return. Though, he added it could just as well be based on Taylor’s ability to deal with discomfort.
Taylor has not undergone a second scan on his foot but rather pushed through some lingering pain thus far.
“I think it’s him having a high level of pain tolerance,” Roberts said. “I think that we’re still kind of not over the hump yet as far as kind of pushing him on running and things like that. But he’s going to push the limits.”
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