Fantasy News

• Pirates' Michael Taylor: Sitting Saturday

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2024

  Taylor isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's contest against Philadelphia. Taylor tallied a base hit in both of the first two games of the series, though he also struck out four times in that span. Bryan Reynolds, Jack Suwinski and Connor Joe will start in the outfield while Taylor rests.

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• Pirates' Michael Taylor: Sitting out third straight

  Rotowire Apr 8, 2024

  Taylor is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest against the Tigers. This will be the third straight game he hasn't started. Taylor is hitting .429/.438/.536 on the season, so it's possible he's dealing with some sort of injury. Jack Suwinski is center field again Monday.

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• Pirates' Michael Taylor: Takes seat Sunday

  Rotowire Apr 7, 2024

  Taylor is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus Baltimore, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Taylor is working as Pittsburgh's primary center fielder to begin the season, though he finds himself on the bench Sunday for the second straight game. Jack Suwinski will shift to center field while Bryan Reynolds and Connor Joe start in left and right, respectively.

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• Pirates' Michael Taylor: Sits down Saturday

  Rotowire Apr 6, 2024

  Taylor isn't in the Pirates' lineup Saturday against the Orioles, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports. Taylor saw his seven-game hitting streak come to an end with an 0-for-3 performance Friday, and he'll now get his first day off of the season. Bryan Reynolds, Jack Suwinski and Connor Joe will start across the outfield while Taylor rests.

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• Pirates' Michael Taylor: Fitting in well in Pittsburgh

  Rotowire Apr 2, 2024

  Taylor went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored Monday against the Nationals. Taylor has started four of Pittsburgh's first five games in center field while hitting either eighth or ninth. He's fit well in that role, maintaining a .471 batting average and .588 slugging percentage across 21 plate appearances. Taylor has benefited from some good fortune when putting the ball in play, but he should remain locked into a starting role thanks to his defense.

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• Pirates' Michael Taylor: On bench for series finale

  Rotowire Mar 31, 2024

  Taylor is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Miami, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Taylor started the first three games of the season and will receive a day off after going 4-for-12 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and four runs. Jack Suwinski will shift to center field while Connor Joe and Edward Olivares start in the corner outfield spots.

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• Pirates' Michael Taylor: Headed to Pittsburgh

  Rotowire Mar 15, 2024

  Taylor signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Taylor hasn't yet participated in spring training, but he does have a team for 2024. He spent last year with the Twins and slashed .220/.278/.442 with a career-high 21 home runs while adding 51 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 388 plate appearances. Taylor could fill the short side of a platoon in center field for Pittsburgh since the lefty-hitting Jack Suwinski has struggled against southpaws.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Not in Game 3 lineup

  Rotowire Oct 10, 2023

  Taylor is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 3 of the ALDS versus the Astros, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The Twins are going with Willi Castro in center field after Taylor started there in each of the team's first four postseason contests. Taylor has gone 2-for-11 with two singles so far during the 2023 playoffs.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Starting in center field

  Rotowire Oct 3, 2023

  Taylor is starting in center field and batting ninth Tuesday in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series versus the Blue Jays. Willi Castro saw plenty of action in center field for the Twins in September while Taylor was banged up, but Taylor handled the position for nine of the final 12 regular-season contests and gets the call in Game 1. It wouldn't be a surprise if he's removed for a pinch-hitter mid-game Tuesday if the Twins are trailing.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Riding pine in finale

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2023

  Taylor is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rockies. He will get a breather on the final day of the regular season, with Willi Castro patrolling center field in his stead. Taylor hit .107 with one home run and 12 strikeouts in nine games since returning from a hamstring injury a couple weeks ago.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Homers, triples in win

  Rotowire Sep 30, 2023

  Taylor went 2-for-4 with a triple, a home run, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's 7-6 victory over the Rockies. Taylor's second-inning homer was his 21st of the season and increased the Twins' lead to three. Prior to Friday, he had gone 1-for-22 since returning Sept. 18 from a stint on the injured list due to a hamstring injury. In 128 games this season, Taylor is slashing .222/.276/.446 with 21 homers, 51 RBI, 46 runs and 13 steals.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Not in Tuesday's lineup

  Rotowire Sep 19, 2023

  Taylor is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cincinnati. Taylor started Monday in his first contest back from the injured list, but he will sit this one out. Willi Castro will patrol center field for the Twins.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Activated from injured list

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2023

  Taylor (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day injured list Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. Taylor spent just over two weeks on the IL with a hamstring strain and will jump right back into the starting lineup Monday against the Reds, batting ninth while starting in center field. The 32-year-old is hitting just .229 on the season but has been a useful fantasy contributor with 20 home runs and 13 stolen bases over 120 games.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Returning on road trip

  Rotowire Sep 13, 2023

  Taylor (hamstring) is slated to be activated from the 10-day injured list during the Twins' upcoming road trip that begins Thursday and runs through Sept. 20, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. The Twins haven't pinpointed an exact day for Taylor to be activated, but he'll already spent the minimum 10 days on the IL and is eligible for reinstatement at any point. Taylor had been serving as the Twins' primary center fielder prior to landing on the shelf and should take back that role, at least until Byron Buxton (hamstring/knee) is cleared to return from IL.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Hits IL with hamstring strain

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2023

  The Twins placed Taylor on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a right hamstring strain. Minnesota reinstated utility man Willi Castro (oblique) from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move, and he and Andrew Stevenson could end up picking up most of the starts in center field while Taylor is on the shelf. With 20 home runs and 13 stolen bases on the campaign, Taylor has been a solid source of counting stats from the bottom of the Minnesota lineup when healthy this season, but he may not have an everyday role waiting for him once activated. Byron Buxton (hamstring, knee) could beat Taylor back from the IL and may get the opportunity to serve as Minnesota's primary center fielder upon his return after having previously been limited to designated-hitter duties all season.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Likely headed to IL

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2023

  Taylor (hamstring) is likely to be placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game versus the Rangers, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Taylor aggravated a right hamstring injury Saturday, and while the Twins will wait to see how he feels Sunday morning before making a decision, an IL move is expected. Willi Castro (oblique) is in line to take Taylor's roster spot and will also be an option to see action in center field while Taylor is sidelined, with Joey Gallo and Andrew Stevenson also in the mix.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Aggravates hamstring injury

  Rotowire Sep 2, 2023

  Taylor was lifted from Saturday's game versus the Rangers in the fourth inning with a right hamstring injury, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Taylor didn't start a couple games earlier this week because of the hamstring and appeared to aggravate the injury while scoring from second base on a single in the top of the fourth. He was removed prior to the Twins taking the field for the bottom of the fourth. It looked to be an injury which could require a stint on the injured list, but more should be known after the contest.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Remains on bench

  Rotowire Sep 1, 2023

  Taylor is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener with the Rangers. Taylor will remain on the bench for a second straight game as the Twins begin a series in Texas. Recently promoted Andrew Stevenson will get a look in center field and bat seventh.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Takes seat Wednesday

  Rotowire Aug 30, 2023

  Taylor is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Guardians. Taylor went yard in Tuesday's loss to Cleveland -- his fifth home run over his last nine games -- but he'll get a breather for the series finale. Joey Gallo will patrol center field in Taylor's stead Wednesday.

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• Twins' Michael Taylor: Homers again in loss

  Rotowire Aug 30, 2023

  Taylor went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Guardians. Taylor cut the Twins' deficit to 4-2 in the ninth inning with a solo homer off Emmanuel Clase. The long ball was Taylor's fifth in his last nine games -- he's gone 11-for-31 (.355) with a 1.267 OPS in that span. The veteran outfielder is now slashing .228/.281/.454with a career-best 20 homers, 45 RBI, 44 runs scored and 13 steals across 351 plate appearances as he continues to see regular playing time in Minnesota.

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