Cubs Get Positive Jameson Taillon Injury Update
By Jovan Alford
The Chicago Cubs have had to lean on young starting pitchers Ben Brown, Javier Assad, and Jordan Wicks to start the 2024 season with veterans Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon battling injuries.
The 32-year-old Taillon was placed on the 15-day injured list to open the season due to back and calf injuries that caused him to miss Spring Training. The veteran pitcher was inconsistent last season with an 8-10 record and a 4.84 ERA (30 games/29 starts).
The Cubs are expecting a better performance on the mound from Taillon this season, which has been put on delay. However, Chicago fans might see the veteran starting pitcher back with the big league club soon.
Cubs News: Jameson Taillon Heads Back to Majors After Rehab Stint
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Saturday night that Taillon will make his next start with the team, but the day is still to be determined, per Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Craig Counsell said Jameson Taillon will make his next start with the Cubs. TBD on which day. https://t.co/slAcIQ7E80
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) April 13, 2024
The Cubs also said on Saturday that Taillon “felt great” in his rehab start on Friday night, where he pitched 3.2 innings and threw 68 pitches, per Lee.
The Cubs have survived without Steele and Taillon despite Wicks and Brown struggling to start the season. Wicks has a 5.68 ERA and 0-2 record through three starts, but his FIP is only 2.38, which is a stark difference.
Meanwhile, Brown made his first major league start against the San Diego Padres earlier this week after pitching out of the bullpen for his first two appearances. The 24-year-old allowed three hits, and a walk, and struck out five batters across 4.2 innings.
With a potential Taillon return on the horizon, the Cubs must decide whether Brown, Wicks, or Assad heads to the bullpen. Brown seems like the best choice since he began the season in the bullpen.
The Cubs are currently in fourth place in the NL Central as they are only 2.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first.
However, Chicago has the second-best odds to win the NL Central crown (+250 on FanDuel Sportsbook) behind the St. Louis Cardinals. Therefore, Taillon should hopefully bolster the Cubs’ chances of winning the division this season.
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