Taylor returns to camp after father's death

March 23rd, 2017
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      WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. -- returned to Nationals camp on Thursday afternoon after missing the past few days following the death of his father, Anthony.
      Anthony Taylor was a logistics officer for 22 years in the U.S. Army. He would travel from the Taylors' home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to regularly attend Nationals games during Spring Training and anytime the team would play in Miami during the regular season.
      Even though the funeral is scheduled for Monday and the team had told him to take as much time away as needed, Taylor rejoined the team early, which could be a way to help him through a tough situation.
      "He says it's tougher sitting at home than it is being out here," manager Dusty Baker said. "So this can be like a sanctuary from reality. At home, it really sinks in again."
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      Baker thought Taylor would come to camp to work out and settle in slowly, but Taylor was ready to return to action. He is scheduled to play in Minor League games starting Thursday, and Baker will work him back into the schedule for Grapefruit League action.
      Taylor, who is in the midst of another strong spring, had been away from the team since he was scratched from Saturday's lineup to head home.
      "It's tough, life doesn't stop and death has no season," Baker said. "We'll just have to help him deal with it and sort of leave him alone."

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      Jamal Collier covers the Nationals for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jamalcollier.