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Nationals' Taylor suffers knee contusion after slamming into wall

H.Darr Beiser / Reuters

Washington Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor left Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres with a right knee contusion after slamming into the center field wall.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

"He ran into that wall hard, full-speed, as fast as he could go," Nationals manager Matt Williams said.

"I don't know if you saw it on television. There's a big rip in the padding out there from his cleats, but it got him on the right knee pretty good. I don't know if he hit a stanchion or bar or whatever, but he didn't feel very good after."

Taylor was helped off the field after the collision. Williams said he is listed as day to day.

The Nationals were forced to shift around their defense in a major way after the injury.

Bryce Harper replaced Taylor in center, while Danny Espinosa moved to left field, Jayson Werth to right, and Trea Turner to second base.

Taylor joined teammate Yunel Escobar, who left the game earlier after being hit by a pitch, in the trainer's room. Meanwhile, Denard Span, who Taylor was replacing in center field, has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with hip inflammation.

Earlier in the day, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones left a contest against the Kansas City Royals after crashing into a wall in a similar fashion.

Jones was later diagnosed with whiplash symptoms.

Prior to Thursday's game, Taylor was hitting .242/.290/.390 with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.

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