Kansas City Royals reliever Josh Taylor (back) was listed among the team's available pitchers prior to Saturday's Spring Training game. He ultimately entered the game and pitched one inning, allowing two hits but escaping after just five total pitches. All of this is a good sign for the Royals and their left-handed hurler after he underwent season-ending lower back surgery last summer. Taylor struggled to the tune of an 8.15 ERA through limited action last year, but he has a fresh slate now that he's fully healthy heading into 2024.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Josh Taylor (shoulder, back) will have surgery on Wednesday to repair a herniated disk in his lower back, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The 30-year-old hasn't appeared in a big league game since May 27 after suffering a shoulder injury but experienced the back issue during his rehab. There's no timeline right now for Taylor's recovery. Before going on the shelf, the fourth-year player posted an 8.15 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, and 31.3% strikeout rate with no saves or holds over 17.2 innings of work. If fantasy managers haven't dropped Taylor already, they should now.

The Boston Red Sox and left-hander Josh Taylor avoided salary arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.025 million deal, according to a source. Ryan Brasier, Abraham Almonte, Nick Pivetta, Alex Verdugo, Rob Refsnyder, Christian Arroyo and Reese McGuire remain arbitration-eligible. The 29-year-old Taylor didn't pitch at all last season due to a back injury, but the Red Sox are hoping he'll return in 2023 and be as effective as he was in 2021, when he posted a 3.40 ERA (2.83 FIP), 1.43 WHIP, one save and 28.7 percent strikeout rate in 47 2/3 relief innings in his third major-league season with Boston. Taylor won't carry any fantasy relevance.

Boston Red Sox left-handed reliever Josh Taylor (back) has twice had his minor league rehab assignment halted, most recently just before the All-Star break. However, skipper Alex Cora said that Taylor threw a bullpen session on Aug. 6 in Fort Myers, Fla. "It was a long one, too," Cora said. Taylor has yet to pitch for the Red Sox this year and there's no timetable for his return. In 61 appearances out of the bullpen last year, the 29-year-old had a 3.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, one save, 60 strikeouts and 23 walks in 47 2/3 innings pitched. In his three seasons in Boston, Taylor has a 3.69 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 129 K's and 44 walks in 121 outings (one start).

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Taylor (back) completed a bullpen session this past Sunday. According to Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Taylor will throw another bullpen session soon, then face live hitters. After that, he will likely be sent out on a rehab assignment. Taylor has yet to pitch in the majors this year as he's been nursing a lower back strain. He's had multiple bumps in the road during his recovery, but seems to be on a positive trajectory at this point. Last year, Taylor racked up 15 holds while posting a 3.40 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Taylor (back) is expected to pitch out of the bullpen at Triple-A Worcester on both Friday and Saturday, throwing one inning in each game. The 29-year-old has been out all year due to a back strain, but if all goes well this weekend, we could see him back with the Red Sox soon. The left-hander was one of the Red Sox's primary relievers in 2021. He appeared in 61 games and pitched to a 3.40 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP while compiling 15 holds and a save.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Taylor (back) will begin his rehab assignment in Triple-A on Sunday. Taylor opened the season on the 10-day injured list due to a lower back strain. The plan is that Taylor will throw on Sunday and hopefully be able to return to the big leagues after that. The 29-year-old pitched well out of the bullpen for Boston last season. He'd be an upgrade for their struggling bullpen right now.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Taylor (back) is dealing with a back issue and hasn't thrown off a mound yet this spring. As a result, his availability for Opening Day is in question. Taylor also dealt with a back injury late last year that landed him on the injured list. The 29-year-old left-hander was an important reliever for Boston in 2021 and had a solid 3.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 60 strikeouts and 23 walks in 47 2/3 innings over 61 relief appearances. If Taylor is forced to open the year on the injured list, new lefty additions Jake Diekman and Matt Strahm should help pick up the slack in left-handed matchups.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Taylor earned his first career save Saturday, allowing just a single hit while striking out two batters in the 10th inning of a 9-8 extra-inning win over the Chicago White Sox. Taylor has been solid all season with a 3.57 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings, but fantasy managers should not expect to see Taylor in many more save opportunities. He sits firmly behind Adam Ottavino, Garrett Whitlock, and Hansel Robles in the pecking order at the very least.

Boston Red Sox reliever Josh Taylor (COVID-19) has been activated from the injured list prior to Tuesday's doubleheader against the New York Yankees, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. He was placed on the IL on August 15 but has not tested positive for COVID-19. Taylor has been good for the Red Sox out of the bullpen, posting a 3.23 ERA with 13 holds and a 30.0 K%, albeit with a high 11.8 BB%. He's a good option in leagues that count holds, but also has some deep-league value with his exceptional strikeout numbers.