‘Health is there’ as Taylor makes return to shortstop
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Coming into Spring Training, a bounceback season from Chris Taylor was thought-about one thing that might assist the Dodgers substitute a few of the manufacturing that left via free company in what was an offseason filled with change.
Following Gavin Lux’s torn proper ACL and sprained proper LCL that can sideline him for the whole 2023 season, Taylor’s resurgence now isn’t simply one thing the Dodgers hope will occur. It’s one thing they desperately want with a purpose to win a tenth National League West title in 11 seasons.
“The health is there,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts. “So now it’s just to bet on the player, the person. We feel good about CT, obviously.”
Taylor, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal following the 2021 season, battled a number of accidents in ‘22, including a fractured left foot that sidelined him for several weeks. As he worked through those injuries, Taylor was never able to get going at the plate. He hit 10 homers, the fewest he’s had in a full season since changing into a daily in Los Angeles in ‘17. His .677 OPS was additionally his lowest throughout the identical span. Combine that with 160 strikeouts in 402 at-bats and it was a forgettable season for Taylor.
In order to enhance these numbers, Taylor, 32, was one of many handful of gamers who made the journey to Seattle to go to Driveline this previous offseason. He mentioned he believes a few of that data may help him shifting ahead, ideally to chop down his strikeouts. This spring, Taylor is 2-for-8 with a pair of strikeouts in three video games. He had two hard-hit balls within the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the Rangers on Wednesday at Surprise Stadium.
Defensively, it was perhaps much more stunning that Taylor wasn’t in a position to give the Dodgers the flexibility they grew accustomed to through the years. Taylor noticed most of his time within the outfield in 2022, logging simply 22 video games at second base, three at third and one inning at shortstop.
The purpose for that was as a result of Taylor underwent surgical procedure on his proper elbow after the 2021 season. He has been timid to experiment with that arm energy, however now, it’ll be put to the take a look at.
Coming into the season, the plan was to maintain Taylor in left and heart discipline, once more avoiding the infield as a lot as attainable. Now, Taylor should again up Miguel Rojas at shortstop to make up for the lack of Lux. Taylor admitted it might take a while to get used to being on the place once more.
In his first probability to make a play on Wednesday, Taylor couldn’t corral a rocket off the bat of Corey Seager. Once he picked the ball up, Taylor’s throw practically ended up contained in the Rangers’ dugout down the first-base line. In his second probability, Taylor bought the forceout at second base.
“I’ve been doing a throwing program,” Taylor mentioned. “It’s early in Spring Training, so it’s definitely a progression. I feel right now I’ll be fine.”
• Dustin May made his first begin of the spring on Wednesday towards the Rangers, putting out three and strolling two in 1 2/3 innings. May’s stuff was sharp, significantly his slider, and he was flashing 97-98 mph persistently with the four-seamer. After working his manner again from Tommy John surgical procedure final season, May is lastly totally wholesome and can be a key piece of the Dodgers’ rotation.
• Mookie Betts and Jason Heyward every hit homers off former Dodger left-hander Andrew Heaney. Betts, who continues to get able to symbolize Team USA within the upcoming World Baseball Classic, led off the sport along with his blast. Heyward, who — barring one thing unexpected — can be on the Opening Day roster, has been one of many surprises during the last two weeks.
• Jimmy Nelson’s first look in a sport since 2021 didn’t go as hoped. The right-hander confronted three batters and did not report an out. His fastball velocity was 88-90 mph, although Roberts mentioned Nelson has been higher in stay batting observe classes this spring. It was a wet day in Surprise.
• Miguel Vargas remains to be not cleared to swing a bat due to a hairline fracture on his proper pinky finger, however that hasn’t stopped him from strolling thrice this spring. He walked twice in 50 plate appearances final season.
