Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers were expecting to receive a boost to their already-strong lineup earlier this month when they reinstated Chris Taylor from the 15-day injured list.
Taylor was returning from a fractured foot at the time, but since his activation, the 31-year-old has struggled at the plate, batting just .188/.278/.354 with two home runs and an 81 wRC+.
The poor offensive line is backed by a 44.4% strikeout rate, which means Taylor is striking out in nearly half his at-bats. But despite the lack of production, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is confident Taylor will be able to turn his season around.
“C.T. is very mechanics-driven,” Roberts said. “I think that some could argue too much, but you can’t discount how hard he works in trying to right the ship. I do know that he’s had bouts of hot streaks and some cold streaks. I don’t think he likes that.
“My goal, as well as C.T.’s and the hitting guys, is to work through some things mechanically, get him right. I believe that the swing and miss will be curtailed.”
In his career, Taylor has struck out 28.5% of the time, which is on the higher end of hitters as it would rank as the seventh-highest rate in baseball this year. However, despite those strikeouts, Taylor has still been able to be a productive player for the team.
“I don’t know that answer,” Roberts said when asked if anything is different with Taylor this season. “I know that he’s had stints where there’s swing and miss in there. He knows that it needs to get cleaned up. Balls that are in the strike zone, you’ve got to move forward. No one knows that more than he does.”
Although Taylor has not been producing with his bat at the moment, he has still been a versatile player with his glove and helping the team on defense, which included a highlight catch against the Milwaukee Brewers last week.
But even with his strong defensive play, the Dodgers will need Taylor to figure out his swing before October. Fortunately for them, they have more than enough time left and a big enough lead in the National League West to let Taylor play through his issues.
Dodgers hopeful Gavin Lux can return on Saturday
Gavin Lux was in the Dodgers initial lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Brewers, only to be scratched a few hours prior to first pitch with a neck issue.
Roberts was hopeful the second baseman would avoid a stint on the IL, and Lux still seems to be trending toward returning to the lineup soon.
“Little bit better today,” Roberts said of Lux. “It’s kind of lower neck, upper back. Today is better, so the hope is he’ll be back in the lineup on Saturday.”
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