Dodgers’ Dave Roberts ready to give Chris Taylor ‘runway’ to more playing time

After a miserable start to his season, Taylor has improved recently with seven hits in 22 at-bats before Sunday. He could play more at third base, Roberts said.

SAN FRANCISCO –The lack of production at third base since Max Muncy went out with an oblique injury could be creating “a runway” for Chris Taylor to get more playing time.

Taylor made his third start of the season at third base Sunday and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he might be there more often until Muncy returns some time after the All-Star break. After starting the season in a deep slump, Taylor was hitting just .095 as late as June 7. In nine games before Sunday, though, Taylor had seven hits in his past 22 at-bats (.318).

“I think with Chris I see  better at-bats,” Roberts said. “I think his swing has leveled out more, more conducive to line drives. He’s not under fastballs as much as he used to be. The swing and miss is cut down. Even with two strikes I like the way he can block the ball in that 4-hole.

“So, for me, he’s earning more opportunities and I’m going to give him more runway at third base. It comes with performance and what I’ve seen recently I like.”

It wouldn’t take much for Taylor to improve on what Muncy’s replacements have provided in the first 39 games he has missed. In that time, Dodgers third basemen – primarily Kiké Hernandez (23 starts) and Cavan Biggio (10 starts) – have combined to hit just .156 (21 for 135) with three doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and 40 strikeouts.

“It hasn’t been great,” Roberts said. “Kiké is playing the heck out of third base (defensively). … The offense has been inconsistent. Cavan has got on base. I just think the at-bats need to get better. And the defense has been fine.

“Performance should matter and opportunity should be created. I’m going to give (Taylor) some runway at third base. He deserves a look. His last couple weeks speak to that.”

INTENTIONAL TALK

After being intentionally walked just once in his first 78 games, Shohei Ohtani was given an intentional pass by the Giants in each of the first two games of the weekend series. With Mookie Betts out of the lineup and Will Smith slumping, opposing teams might be inclined to use that strategy more often.

“Well, I think that obviously we’ve had Freddie (Freeman) behind him (when Betts was in the lineup),” Roberts said. “Will is not swinging the bat great recently. So I think that’s sort of the reason behind it. But for me I’ll take our chances with Will Smith.

“The intentional passes aren’t as many as they have been in the years past. … But Shohei, he deserves it. He’s swinging the bat great.”

Left exposed in a depleted Angels lineup in years past, Ohtani led the American League in intentional walks (20) during his first MVP season in 2021 then 14 in 2022 and a career-high 21 during his second MVP season last year.

ALSO

Rookie right-hander Landon Knack will continue in the Dodgers’ starting rotation and is expected to make his next start on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. …

Out since early May with a shoulder injury, veteran reliever Joe Kelly continues to progress in his recovery. But Roberts said Kelly will not return until after the All-Star break and will go on a minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment at some point when he is ready. …

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw is expected to resume a throwing program this week. Kershaw was shut down from throwing after he experienced “lingering soreness” following a three-inning rehab start for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on June 19.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers are off Monday.

Diamondbacks (RHP Ryne Nelson, 5-6, 5.69 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Bobby Miller, 1-1, 6.75 ERA), Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM