Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 5/2/19 9:43 AM

Taylor got the start in center field and hit eighth during Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals, going 0-for-4 and leaving four men on base.
EDGE Analysis
With Juan Soto (back) sidelined, the 28-year-old entered the lineup as Victor Robles shifted to right field and Adam Eaton to left, but Taylor didn't take advantage of his opportunity. He's now slashing .158/.304/.211 through 12 games since recovering from a preseason knee injury, and while the Nats might use Howie Kendrick in an outfield corner instead if Soto's back spasms linger, Taylor's defense should earn him more starts despite his struggles at the plate.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 4/14/19 10:41 AM

Taylor is starting in center field and batting ninth in Sunday's series finale against the Pirates, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor was activated from the injured list last Monday and went 0-for-1 with a walk as a defensive replacement Wednesday in his lone action thus far. The 28-year-old suffered left knee and hip sprains towards the end of spring training but fortunately only missed the first couple weeks of the regular season. Taylor should see occasional starts as the team's fourth outfielder, with Juan Soto, Victor Robles and Adam Eaton entrenched in their starting roles.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Mon 4/8/19 3:24 PM

Taylor (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list Monday.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor, who has been on the shelf all season with a right knee/hip sprain, has been cleared to rejoin the big club ahead of Monday's series opener against the Phillies after completing a brief minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg, going 3-for-16 (.188) with a solo home run in four games played. Now that he's healthy, the 28-year-old figures to fill a reserve outfield role for the Nationals. Andrew Stevenson was optioned to Triple-A Fresno in a corresponding move.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Wed 4/3/19 12:54 PM

Taylor (knee) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor was originally expected to kick off his rehab assignment Friday. It sounds like the speedy outfielder could return sometime next week after playing in a few rehab games. Once healthy, he should fill a reserve outfield role for the Nationals.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Tue 4/2/19 4:53 PM

Taylor (knee) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Harrisburg on Friday, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor didn't have an official timetable when he was first placed on the injured list, but it now appears that his absence won't be a particularly long one. He could return sometime next week after a few rehab games.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 3/28/19 1:55 PM

Taylor (knee) is without a timetable to return, but general manager Mike Rizzo said he does not expect it to be a "really long-term" absence, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
This wasn't necessarily a ringing endorsement that we would see Taylor return in short order. He was placed on the 10-day IL and it sounds like knee injury could sideline him through April. In the meantime, Andrew Stevenson will serve as the Nationals' fourth outfielder.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Wed 3/27/19 6:24 PM

Taylor (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor injured his knee making a diving catch earlier in the month, and while there was some hope that he would avoid the injured list to open the season, that won't be the case. The outfielder has been taking batting practice, throwing long toss and running on the field recently, so it's possible his IL stint is a brief one. The move is backdated to Monday, so Taylor will be eligible to return April 4, if healthy. Look for Andrew Stevenson to serve as the team's fourth outfielder in Taylor's absence.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Fri 3/22/19 12:31 PM

Taylor (knee/hip) is progressing more quickly than expected from his injuries and could be ready for game action by Opening Day, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
The outfielder took batting practice, threw long toss and ran on the field Thursday for the first time since he got hurt making a diving catch March 14. Making it back by the end of of the month is still a very optimistic timetable for Taylor, but at the very least it looks like he'll miss a lot less time than was initially feared.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 3/21/19 3:45 PM

Taylor (knee) is scheduled to run outside, take batting practice and play long toss Thursday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor has been playing catch, hitting soft toss and running on an underwater treadmill with no issues recently, clearing the way for him to begin increasing the intensity of his workouts. The outfielder remains without a timetable for his return, though he's expected to be sidelined for a significant amount of time.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 3/17/19 5:13 PM

Taylor (knee, hip) took light one-handed swings, threw soft toss and jogged in a pool Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
EDGE Analysis
Manager Dave Martinez referred to it as "baseline" work but was nonetheless encouraged given Taylor is only three days removed from suffering left knee and hip sprains. The 27-year-old has no official timeline for his return but is expected to face a significant absence.