Days into Spring Training camp, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted his club’s health top to bottom was better than it had been over previous years. However, that has changed in the time since Roberts’ remarks.
Joc Pederson continues to be held out of workouts because of a side injury, Dustin May has been temporarily shut down due to a lingering issue, Jimmy Nelson battled through minor groin tightness, and now Chris Taylor has joined the list.
He started in the Cactus League opener and also the following day’s game. However, up until Thursday, Taylor had not been in the lineup since the Dodgers faced the Chicago Cubs in their first game of the year at Camelback Ranch.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, he’s been slowed by a forearm and biceps issue, but could return as soon as Thursday:
Chris Taylor missed his third game with mild forearm and biceps irritation caused by a check swing, but was able to take live batting practice on Wednesday and was hopeful of playing on Thursday.
Taylor was among the arbitration-eligible players the Dodgers failed to come to terms with prior to the deadline in January. They managed to avoid a hearing by agreeing to terms on a two-year contract extension worth a reported $13.4 million.
Taylor appeared in 124 games last season, batting .262/.333/.462 with 29 doubles, 12 home runs, 52 runs scored and 52 RBI. After a slow start in the month of April, he came on and wound up being one of the Dodgers’ more reliable hitters in addition to tremendous defensive versatility.
The 29-year-old figures to again fill a super utility role for the Dodgers, though the bulk of his opportunities may come in the infield.
Like with their other players who are not 100%, the Dodgers don’t figure to rush Taylor’s return. Manager Dave Roberts went so far as to say there isn’t any concern with getting Pderson back in time for Opening Day.
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