Dodgers utility infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor made the first of what is expected to be several rehabilitation appearances with the team’s Advanced Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Thursday night. And while such rehab appearances are more about returning to game-ready condition than about game results, the soon-to-be 29-year-old (on August 29) Virginia Beach, VA native and 2012 fifth-round draft pick by the Miami Marlins out of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville was quite impressive both offensively and defensively in his four-inning appearance.
Batting second in the Cal League South first-half champion Quakes line-up and playing shortstop, and after an infield single to short in his first live-game at-bat since July 14 when he suffered a fractured right forearm after being hit by a pitch, Taylor hit a three-run home run over the right-centerfield wall at LoanMart Field in his second at-bat in the bottom of the second inning to give Rancho an early 8-0 lead in the eventual 11-2 rout over the Modesto Nuts (Mariners). He flied out to left in his third and final at-bat of the night in the bottom of the third.
As the Quakes shortstop, Taylor made only one defensive play but it was a big one. In the top half of the second inning, former Dodgers farmhand Ariel Sandoval (whom the Dodgers had traded to the Mariners in March of 2018 for cash considerations) grounded sharply to Taylor, who fed second baseman Jeter Downs, who fired to first baseman Dillon Paulson to complete a perfectly executed inning-ending 6-4-3 double play.
Taylor was removed from the game after the bottom of the fourth inning and promptly showered and left the ballpark without speaking with reporters.
Per Quakes PR director and play-by-play man Mike Lindskog, Taylor will return on Friday night, when the Rancho squad opens a three-game weekend series with the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) at LoanMart Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PT and Taylor will undoubtedly bat early in the Quakes line-up again.
Play Ball!
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2 for 3 last night for the Quakes as the DH. Kiké was 1 for 3 with home run in his first rehab game for AZ rookie team.
It’s good to read that Chis & Kike are feeling better and are active.