Chris

Taylor

It seems like a routine day off for the 31-year-old. Chris Taylor will start in left field and bat ninth.

Taylor was placed on the IL at the end of July and watched as the Dodgers acquired Tommy Edman in the meantime. As a result, Taylor will return to a role as a versatile bench option, which is probably fitting considering he’s hitting .167/.277/.265 in 64 games with three home runs and three steals.

With Chris Taylor coming off the IL, the Dodgers needed to choose between Kevin Kiermaier and Heyward as their left-handed bat off the bench. Considering Kiermaier is an elite defender and Heyward was slashing .208/.289/.393 in 63 games, the choice between the two seemed easy on the field, but Heyward was well-respected in the clubhouse which made it a tough decision. Taylor himself has really struggled in 2024, but the Dodgers felt that his versatility helped the team going forward.

Taylor, who said he’s tweaked his swing during his absence due to a groin strain, went 4-for-11 with two doubles in his three games in Las Vegas. Now that the Dodgers offense appears to be pretty much fully healthy (fingers crossed for Freddie Freeman), Taylor probably won’t have a lot to do after coming off the injured list.

It’s not clear how many games Taylor will require before he’s ready to return to the Dodgers, but it shouldn’t be many. Their offense is getting ready for massive reinforcements with Max Muncy and Tommy Edman also set to return early next week.

Enrique Hernández and Cavan Biggio will get the starts at third that had been going to Taylor. Based on recent usage, it’s going to be Hernández most of the time. Biggio has the platoon advantage against righties, but he’s hit just .196/.302/.261 since arriving in Los Angeles.

James Outman will be called up if Taylor lands on the injured list, though he might not play very much with Jason Heyward back starting against righties. Enrique Hernández figures to see more time with Taylor out.

The versatile 33-year-old appeared to tweak something while hustling out a double in the seventh inning. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, though he did so gingerly. He’ll head for further evaluation. Expect the Dodgers to provide an update on his status prior to Thursday’s ballgame.

Vargas continues to draw nothing more than the occasional start in left field, though he has been doing side work at third base in recent days and the Dodgers would be wise to give him a shot there over the limited production that they have been receiving from Chris Taylor. The 24-year-old has hit .242/.314/.452 with three homers, nine RBI and a 13/7 K/BB ratio in 70 plate appearances with the big-league club this season.

The 33-year-old utilityman got the Dodgers on the board in the sixth inning with a 403-foot (106.1 mph EV) two-run shot off of Jakob Junis. That would turn out to be the extent of their offense. Taylor also drew a walk in the contest, finishing the afternoon 1-for-3. He has struggled for the most part this season — slashing a mere .155/.262/.256 with three homers and 14 RBI in 150 plate appearances.