Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers' Chris Taylor expected to avoid IL after collision with wall

The Los Angeles Dodgers were swept by the rival San Francisco Giants for the first time since 2016 on Sunday. Not only are the Dodgers barely holding onto a one-half game lead in the NL West over the second-place San Diego Padres (and now just a 3 1/2 game lead over the Giants), but super utilityman Chris Taylor suffered a facial injury when he crashed into the left-field wall, attempting to make a running catch.

Despite the scary play — which led to Taylor's immediate departure from the contest — Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said after the loss that things could've been worse.

Entering play Sunday, the Dodgers 2017 NLCS MVP had recorded six home runs, 25 RBIs and a .250/.335/.441 slash line, but where Taylor has been most valuable over his eight-plus years in the league is with his versatility in the field. Now at nearly 800 career games played, the 31-year-old has made appearances at every position on the diamond except pitcher, catcher and first base, with at least 100 appearances at second base, shortstop, left field and center field.

Taylor made his first career All-Star appearance in 2021 and finished the year with a career-high 73 RBIs, as well as 20 home runs and 13 stolen bases.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Panthers star named winner of 2024 Selke Trophy
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'