Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 4/30/17 12:15 PM

Taylor is batting seventh in the lineup and playing center field during Sunday's game against the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
When the Nationals' lineup was initially released Sunday morning, Taylor was locked into the second spot. Manager Dusty Baker has decided to make some last-second changes, moving Taylor down to seventh in the lineup and penciling Jayson Werth into the two-hole. Taylor posted a .262 OBP over 65 major-league plate appearances in 2016.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sun 4/30/17 10:56 AM

Taylor went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's loss to the Mets.
EDGE Analysis
The 26-year-old looked good in his first start since Adam Eaton blew out his knee, and Taylor should get plenty of at-bats in center field moving forward. Should he struggle, the Nats could look outside the organization or to the minor leagues for another option, where No. 10 prospect Andrew Stevenson is hitting .364 with Double-A Harrisburg and No. 1 prospect Victor Robles is also off to a hot start for High-A Potomac.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 4/29/17 8:07 PM

Taylor will be in line for an everyday role in center field with Adam Eaton out for the year with a torn ACL, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor's temporary stint in the outfield has suddenly become a golden opportunity to prove his worth on the big-league level. The 26-year-old has been relatively unimpressive over four seasons with the Nats, mainly being used for his speed on the base paths and in the outfield. Taylor will need to show some resemblance of his 2015 production at the plate, when he knocked in 14 home runs and 63 RBI, while also cutting down on the strikeout rate (77 in 76 games last year). Look for Washington to make a move at the trade deadline if he fails to live up to expectations

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 4/29/17 11:28 AM

Manager Dusty Baker confirmed Saturday that Taylor, who is hitting second against the Mets, will be the everyday center fielder while Adam Eaton (knee, ankle) is sidelined, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Nationals are awaiting MRI results for Eaton, and Baker was emphatic that neither Trea Turner or Bryce Harper would get starts in center field while Eaton is out. Taylor has had several shots at establishing himself as an everyday player in the majors, and has yet to make good on those opportunities. Still, he has an intriguing power/speed combination that could make him useful in NL-only and deep mixed leagues in the short term. It is unclear how long Eaton will be out, but a DL stint seems likely.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 4/29/17 11:05 AM

Taylor will bat second and start in center field Saturday against the Mets, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor will start in center field for the injured Adam Eaton (knee), who was placed on the DL earlier Saturday. Though manager Dusty Baker hasn't confirmed a replacement for Eaton, Taylor seems to be in a good position to win a bulk of the center field duties.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Mon 4/10/17 3:31 PM

Taylor was recalled form Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
With Trea Turner being placed on the DL, Taylor was recalled to fill the vacant spot on Washington's 25-man roster. Taylor spent a considerable amount of time with the big club in 2016, but wasn't too productive. Over 76 games he hit .231/.278/.376 and struck out in 32.5 percent of his plate appearances.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 4/8/17 4:10 PM

Taylor was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor earned a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the team recalled Jeremy Guthrie on Saturday while it waits for probable fifth starter Joe Ross to become eligible. As a result, Taylor will be optioned to Triple-A to free up a roster spot. Guthrie is not expected to remain with the Nationals long-term, so it's possible Taylor could be recalled in relatively short order.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Sat 4/1/17 2:43 PM

Taylor has been named as a reserve outfielder on the Nationals' Opening Day roster, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor had an impressive spring camp, hitting .314 with two home runs, seven RBI, and seven stolen bases over 22 games. His versatility to play anywhere in the outfield could garner additional playing time down the road and put him first in line for a starting spot in the event of an injury.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Thu 3/23/17 9:41 AM

Taylor (personal) returned to Nationals camp Thursday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Taylor has been away from the team since Saturday while attending to a family matter, but now appears to be back in line for a regular spring routine. He had been hot prior to taking leave, going 16-for-36 at the plate with two home runs and six steals in exhibition play. Taylor will look to limit his strikeouts and stay aggressive on the basepaths in 2017, where he's likely headed for a role as the team's fourth outfielder.

Michael A. Taylor
OF CWS
Wed 3/22/17 2:08 PM

Taylor (personal) remains away from the team, MASN's Mark Zuckerman reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Taylor is dealing with a serious family matter and was told to take as much time as he needs. The 25-year-old outfielder has already been away from the team since Saturday, and it doesn't sound as if a return is imminent. Taylor seems to have a secure grasp on the fourth outfielder job.