Chris Taylor pulled from game with injury + Latest on Tony Gonsolin & Ryan Pepiot
The latest injury news
The Dodgers could be testing their depth really soon at their most shallow position, as Chris Taylor exited Monday’s game with an injury.
After starting and playing seven innings in left field, Taylor was pulled in favor of James Outman in the eighth inning. Initially, it just looked as if Dave Roberts just wanted to add Outman’s bat to the lineup. Turns out it’s because Taylor couldn’t finish the game.
“Chris hurt his side throwing on a play in the outfield,” Roberts said to reporters following the game. “What’s concerning is that he doesn’t come out of games. We’re going to run some more tests and see how he feels. He couldn’t go out there and throw. It’s fair to say he’ll be down for a couple of days at the minimum.”
As of right now, it’s being described as a “left side injury” for Taylor. They’ll know more after more tests are run. When asked if it could be his oblique, Roberts said he didn’t want to say it, but it could be something along those lines.
Taylor is expected to miss the rest of the Mets series and could be placed on the injured list depending on the severity of the injury. If Taylor were to miss time, the Dodgers’ options at shortstop would be less than ideal.
Miguel Rojas would become the every day option. Though early in the season, his 2023 campaign couldn’t have started off any worse. He’s missed time with injuries and currently has a -5 wRC+. To put into perspective just how bad that is, the league average is 100.
The Dodgers’ depth in the minors is shallow as well. Yonny Hernandez, who is on the 40-man roster, would be the next man up. The only problem is that he hasn’t played in a game since April 4 and is currently on the IL. His expected return is currently questionable.
And that’s it. At least in regards to the 40-man roster. So, what could the Dodgers do?
Well, the only option at this point seems to be Luke Williams. He’s been playing shortstop down in Oklahoma City and has been arguably their best hitter. In 14 games, Williams is hitting .375 with an OPS of 1.151. He has two home runs, eight doubles and two triples. Not too bad.
If the Dodgers opt to turn to Williams, they’ll need to add him to the 40-man roster, which is currently full. However, there may be an opening as soon as Thursday. Once Will Smith returns from the concussion IL, the team can designate catcher Austin Wynns for assignment (No!!!!). By doing so, it would open up a spot on the 40-man.
This is all assuming that Taylor is placed on the IL. Maybe he only misses a couple of games and is good to go in Chicago. We’ll have to wait and see.
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Other injury news
It sounds like Tony Gonsolin is making significant progress towards a return. That’s a little bit of a surprise, as Roberts made it sound like Gonsolin wouldn’t be ready for at least another month.
I guess things quickly develop.
“Tony threw a 30-pitch bullpen [today],” Roberts said to reporters prior to the game. “Was really good. He’ll fly out tomorrow. The plan is for him to throw four innings on Thursday. We’ll see where we go from there.”
Just like that, Gonsolin will be heading to Oklahoma City to make a few rehab starts in Triple-A. Roberts said it will be more than one start for Gonsolin, as they want to build him up a little before he returns to the active roster.
Meanwhile, it sounds like it’s going to be some time before we see Ryan Pepiot return. According to Roberts, Pepiot is in Arizona and hasn’t even resumed throwing a baseball yet.
So, bullpen and SS. It's early, so there won't be a trade anytime soon if I had to guess. Besides, who else would trade something they need this early? Maybe a matchup could happen with KC? Nicky Lopez and maybe Scott Barlow/Chapman(ugh)? Barlow has a crap ERA but that's basically from 1 bad outing. Lopez had a recent good season (4.2 war in 21), but otherwise has not been great. It'd free up KC to let Massey play 2B full time. Not huge moves, maybe not enough to move the needle. Just spitballing while waiting for them to get things right (which I still think they will).