Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 3/15/18 1:14 PM

Taylor (side) played the field in a minor-league game Thursday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor has already missed over a week due to the injury, but it seems like he's getting very close to 100 percent. No timetable for a return to Grapefruit League action has emerged yet, but the fact that he's getting back into games (even on the minor-league side) is a very encouraging development. Taylor should be ready for the regular season once the time comes barring any extraneous circumstances.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Tue 3/13/18 4:45 PM

Taylor (side) may not return to Grapefruit League games soon but will continue participating in team workouts, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Although Taylor has missed over a week due to side tightness, the team isn't concerned that he's dealing with a significant injury. Rather, Taylor being withheld from Washington's lineup is a precautionary measure to ensure that he'll be healthy when Opening Day arrives. Until he returns to the lineup, Taylor will regularly participate in baseball activities.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 3/10/18 11:53 AM

Taylor (side) was able to practice Saturday and didn't seem overly concerned with the injury, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor has been out all week due to mild right side tightness. It doesn't appear as though this injury will limit him for too much longer, but the Nationals are likely being overly cautious with the outfielder after the strained oblique he suffered last season. Expect to see him back in Grapefruit League contests at some point in the near future.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 3/8/18 12:03 PM

Taylor (side) is not in the lineup against the Mets during Thursday's Grapefruit League contest, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor was scratched from Monday's game due to mild right side tightness and he's remained sidelined for the past two days while recovering from the injury. It appears as though he will get some additional rest Thursday as he's not a member of the starting nine, though the club classified his injury as minor, so it's not expected to keep him off the field for too much longer.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Tue 3/6/18 11:16 AM

Taylor (side) is out of the Nationals' lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
According to Jamal Collier of MLB.com, the Nationals provided no new information Tuesday regarding the health of Taylor, who was scratched from the lineup Monday against the Cardinals with right side tightness. The team termed Taylor's soreness as minor, so the outfielder's activity could be limited for the next few days in order to avoid a more significant setback. Taylor is slated to open the 2018 season as the Nationals' primary center fielder, though he'll likely need to perform well to avoid ceding his starting gig to top prospect Victor Robles.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Mon 3/5/18 1:01 PM

Taylor was scratched from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals due to mild right side tightness, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Specifics regarding the issue remain vague, but the early diagnosis is a bit ominous seeing as Taylor missed close to a month of the 2017 season with a strained oblique. It's possible the Nationals are simply being cautious, however. Either way, it will be a situation worth monitoring in the coming days.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Mon 3/5/18 12:45 PM

Taylor was scratched from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals for an undisclosed reason, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Top prospect Victor Robles entered the lineup in place of Taylor. Look for an update as to why the 25-year-old was scratched sometime after Monday's contest.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Fri 1/12/18 2:28 PM

Taylor agreed to a one-year, $2.525 million deal with the Nationals on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
This was Taylor's first year as an arbitration-eligible player. Last season was essentially a challenge year for Taylor, as it was his last chance to prove he could do enough on both sides of the ball to be an everyday player for the Nationals. He passed the test, sporting a 105 wRC+ with 19 home runs, 17 steals and excellent outfield defense. That said, he needs build off that campaign if he wants to keep top prospect Victor Robles at bay this year. The uncertainty that Robles creates in the Nationals' outfield is allowing Taylor to be had a discount in drafts, relative to his talent, but it also adds an element of risk that does not accompany most power/speed outfielders entering their age-27 seasons.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Fri 9/22/17 4:18 PM

Taylor is out of the starting lineup against the Mets on Friday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor receives a standard day off following nine consecutive starts, while Victor Robles patrols center in his stead. The 26-year-old is currently in the midst of his best major-league season up to this point, slashing .271/.316/.477 and adding 16 home runs and 49 RBI on the year.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 9/10/17 11:53 AM

Taylor isn't in the lineup Sunday against the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor has been terrific at the plate lately. Over the last four games he's gone 9-for-15 (.600) with three home runs, nine RBI, and five runs scored. He'll get the day off while Victor Robles makes his MLB debut and hits fifth.