Taylor (knee, hip) encouraged by quick progress

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- When Michael A. Taylor sprained his left knee and hip on a diving catch in the outfield last Thursday against the Twins, Nationals manager Dave Martinez initially announced the speedy outfielder would miss a “significant amount of time.” Martinez certainly did not expect Taylor to start making progress so quickly.

Over the past few days, Taylor has already hit soft toss in the batting cage, played catch at about 90 feet and ran in the pool with the team training staff. Prior to Thursday’s night's 7-1 win over the Cardinals, he was scheduled to run on the field for the first time, play long toss and even take batting practice.

It might be surprising to Martinez how quickly Taylor seems to be coming along, but not to the defensive ace, who noticed an improvement in his knee the day after the injury.

“They told me I could wake up the next day and my knee be like a balloon, but I woke up, there was very little inflammation,” Taylor said on Thursday. “I felt like I was walking better and everything. I’m really not surprised with where I’m at right now.”

Taylor’s progress certainly appears to be accelerating whatever initial timeline the team planned for him, although the Nationals have been reluctant to put any sort of exact timetable on his return. Taylor also declined to do so, saying he just wants to take things day by day. On Thursday, Martinez even hesitated to rule Taylor out for Opening Day, but at this point, Taylor almost certainly won’t be ready to start the season on time.

Taylor had only been running using what he called a sort of “aqua treadmill” where he can control the height of the water and adjust it to about his waist level and allow him to carry more weight. Running with the assistance of a pool is obviously very different from chasing down balls in center field, so he has some strides to make before he is even close to returning to game action.

“I feel good right now,” Taylor said. “I haven’t run bases or anything where I change directions, everything’s been a straight line, but I’m happy with where I’m at.”

Even if he is not ready for the start of the regular season, Taylor’s progress is encouraging. The Nationals planned to give him plenty of playing time this season in a crowded outfield that includes Juan Soto, Adam Eaton and Victor Robles, who was competing with Taylor for playing time in center field.

On days where Eaton sits, Taylor was likely to be the center fielder with Robles in right. With Taylor sidelined, the Nats seems content with Andrew Stevenson filling that role as the backup at all three outfield positions with speed on the bases as a solid defender. It is unlikely the Nationals will rush Taylor before he is ready, but his progress in the past week has at least altered the tune around his recovery.

“I am very optimistic,” Martinez said, speaking of both Taylor and Howie Kendrick, who has been sidelined by his left hamstring. “But I want to make sure this doesn’t become a recurring thing.”