SAN FRANCISCO – A key component of the Dodgers bench for the past seven years, Chris Taylor has been relegated to the other end of that bench this year, anchored there by an ugly .071 batting average.
The emergence of Andy Pages has consumed Taylor’s playing time. Taylor hasn’t started a game since May and only has seven at-bats in May.
“I think it’s more performance, matchup,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the factors behind Taylor’s lack of playing time. “CT has been working very hard. I’m trying to find the right opportunities to take him there.
“It’s very difficult because we are still trying to win games. If you look at our roster, Kiké (Hernández) and Miguel Rojas have been giving good at-bats. Frankly, the CT scan was not. Try to involve him because you don’t improve if you don’t have opportunities, which I clearly understand. I’m trying to track down a couple of those lefties. We have come across a lot of right-handers. So it’s difficult. But they certainly haven’t forgotten.”
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The Dodgers valued Taylor’s versatility enough to give him a four-year, $60 million contract when he hit free agency after the 2021 season. That versatility has come down with his batting average. Taylor has played just two innings at second base, spending the rest of his time in left field with Pages, Hernandez, and Rojas getting the time at second base or center field that might have gone to Taylor in other years.
Things could reach a breaking point when Jason Heyward is set to return from the injured list. Heyward will begin a minor league injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. It could last between two and five games, Roberts said.
Taylor or James Outman (who hit .153 in Monday’s game) would appear to be the odd-man options when Heyward returns.
“He’s a hot and cold guy. He’s a streaky hitter, he always has been,” Roberts said of Taylor. “He is working very hard. I think what’s happening for me is that when he’s gone in there – albeit off and on, not consistently (playing time) – he’s been in the middle and it’s uncertain. I’d like to think there are improvements in his work. I know the effort is there. We’ll see. I will continue to try to find opportunities to take him there.”
Roberts said Taylor will not start in the Giants series, but will likely be in the lineup Thursday at home, when the Cincinnati Reds are expected to start left-hander Nick Lodolo.
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PHILLIPS STATE
Out since May 5 when he injured his hamstring while playing the outfield, right-handed reliever, Evan Phillips has progressed to playing long pitches for the first time since Monday’s injury and is hoping to pitch from a mound during the three Dodger games. -series of games in San Francisco.
“There’s still a little fatigue. I’m trying to rebuild that strength (in his leg),” Phillips said. “Every day has been positive, a step in the right direction. So I keep accumulating good days.”
Phillips will be eligible to come off the disabled list on Sunday, but Roberts said he doesn’t expect him to be ready right away.
“I know it will be short term. But if I had to guess… when his IL time comes, it will be the 16th. Probably not.”
THE RETURN OF OHTANI
Shohei Ohtani returned to the starting lineup on Monday and continued his pregame throwing program. He did not play Sunday due to lower back tightness.
Roberts said the issue has been “completely resolved” but that Dodgers trainers will “keep an eye” on Ohtani.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Dodgers (RHP Gavin Stone, 3-1, 3.55 ERA) at Giants (RHP Keaton Winn, 3-5, 5.63 ERA), Tuesday, 6:45 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 a.m.
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