Josh Taylor

Joshua Earl Taylor (born March 2, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. Listed at and , he throws and bats left-handed.

Amateur career Taylor attended Centennial High School in Peoria, Arizona. He attended and played college baseball at Scottsdale Community College and Georgia College & State University.

Professional career Philadelphia Phillies Taylor signed with the Philadelphia Phillies organization as an undrafted free agent in August 2014. In three games in the Gulf Coast League, he pitched innings while allowing no earned runs. Overall with two Class A teams in 2015, Taylor made 24 appearances (all starts) with a 3.96 ERA and an 8–8 record. At the time, he had been playing for the Class A-Advanced Visalia Rawhide; the Red Sox assigned him to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, and in September he was promoted to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Overall during 2018, Taylor appeared in 48 games, all in relief, with a 3.35 ERA and 3–7 record with 13 saves. He started the 2019 season with Triple-A Pawtucket. On May 29, he was called up to the major leagues for the first time, making his debut that day against the Cleveland Indians. Taylor was optioned back to Pawtucket on June 10, then recalled on June 14. Overall with the 2019 Red Sox, Taylor appeared in 52 games (one start), compiling a 2–2 record with a 3.04 ERA and 62 strikeouts in innings. He remained on the injured list until being activated on August 17, and returned to the injured list on September 11 with left shoulder tendinitis. Overall with the 2020 Red Sox, Taylor appeared in eight games, all in relief, compiling a 1–1 record with 9.82 ERA and 7 strikeouts in innings pitched. he returned to the team on September 6. On September 11, Taylor recorded his first MLB save, closing out an extra innings win over the Chicago White Sox. On September 26, Taylor was placed on the injured list with a low back strain. Overall during the regular season, Taylor made 61 relief appearances for Boston, earning one win while logging a 3.40 ERA and striking out 60 batters in innings.

Taylor began the 2022 season on the 10-day injured list due to a back injury; he was moved to the 60-day injured list on May 12.

Kansas City Royals On January 24, 2023, the Red Sox traded Taylor to the Kansas City Royals for Adalberto Mondesí and Angel Pierre. Taylor was optioned to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers to begin the 2023 season. On June 27, it was announced that Taylor would require surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 3.

On April 7, 2024, Taylor was placed back on the 60–day injured list with a biceps nerve issue that had plagued him during spring training. On October 31, Taylor elected for free agency.