The Los Angeles Dodgers have been bitten by the injury bug of late, recently losing Mookie Betts for a second time in three weeks due to right hip inflammation.
Justin Turner also was unavailable because of left groin discomfort that caused him to miss the entire Philadelphia Phillies series and first two games against the New York Mets. During that time Chris Taylor primarily filled in at third base, with Max Muncy occasionally sliding over.
Taylor started at the hot corner in each of the first two games against the Phillies before shifting over to center field for the finale. He was back at third base on Friday and Saturday, then kicked out to left field when Turner returned for the series finale against the Mets.
Heading into the weekend, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested Taylor would receive a day off. Dating back to July 4, the super utility man has started in each of the past 35 games entering play Monday.
Granted, the stretch has included the All-Star break — though Taylor was in the Midsummer Classic — and three off days on the Dodgers’ schedule.
Fatigue could be setting in as he went just 5-for-27 with two doubles, one RBI and 10 strikeouts over the road trip. Roberts nonetheless has been impressed with how “great” Taylor is handling an increased workload.
“I think if you look at the last seven days, it hasn’t been great as far as offensive production, but that can happen to anybody,” Roberts added. “I don’t think it’s a workload thing. He takes very good care of himself, he prepares every day, so I’m not worried about that.”
Finding rest for Taylor
Earlier this season Roberts alluded to wanting to find more opportunities for Taylor to rest, but they were — and have remained — hard to come by due to a litany of injuries.
It’s conceivable that could change if and when Betts or Gavin Lux return from the IL.
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