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

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

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/12/22

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.

Chris Taylor had a pretty big gash above his right eye postgame. Dave Roberts said he doesn't expect an IL stint right now but he'll have Tuesday off as well as the off day tomorrow.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 12, 2022

Chris Taylor had a gash above his eye and will get stitches, per Dave Roberts, but team thinks they "dodged a bullet" on any further injury

Roberts said he is planning to give Taylor a day out of the lineup Tuesday, but doesn't expect him to go on the IL https://t.co/FmnEELXNOG
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) June 12, 2022

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.

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