Boy injured by baseball moves to care facility

Xavier Taylor, a 12-year-old New Jersey boy critically injured by a baseball on May 26, remains on a ventilator but has moved from a hospital to a short-term care facility, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The move marks a step in Taylor’s long recovery nearly four months after he was injured before a championship game, according to ABC7 Los Angeles, citing ABC Philadelphia affiliate WPVI.

Xavier Taylor had finished warming up before a championship game when he was struck by a baseball on May 26, ABC7 Los Angeles reported, citing ABC Philadelphia affiliate WPVI.

Gregory Taylor, Xavier’s father, said his son has improved since the early weeks after the injury. "He has gained weight. When we look at Xave every day, we see Xavier. We don't see that frail boy from May and early June," Gregory Taylor told WPVI, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Gregory Taylor said the injury affected his son’s heartbeat and blood flow. "His heartbeat was up, his blood was flowing enough that his heart was contracting and reacting that it rendered him unconscious," he said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

Taylor remains on a ventilator but is no longer in the hospital, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. "He's off all medication on a regular basis other than just getting some necessary nutrients and nutrition," Gregory Taylor said.

Gregory Taylor also said his son is showing other signs of stability. "He's regulating his own body temperature. He's off the extra electrolyte fluids because his lab work is coming back and it's beautiful."

More than $100,000 has been raised for the Taylor family, and signs supporting Xavier Taylor can be seen throughout town, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. In June, the Ben Franklin Bridge and Camden City Hall were lit in blue in his honor.