Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon has yet to participate in an official spring training game this year, and manager Craig Counsell acknowledges that Taillon may not have sufficient time to prepare for Opening Day. Counsell tells Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune that Taillon is likely to start the season on the injured list.
Taillon experienced initial calf soreness at the beginning of the month, followed by lower back tightness. With less than two weeks until Opening Day, time is running out for him to regain game fitness.
When a player is placed on the injured list at the start of the season, the transaction can be backdated by three days. The Cubs also have two off days in the early weeks of the schedule, potentially limiting Taillon’s absence to only the first 10 games.
However, this depends on his recovery and ability to regain form. Taillon has generally been durable, aside from a Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for most of 2019 and all of 2020. Last year, he missed a couple of weeks due to a groin strain but otherwise logged significant innings on the mound, though his performance saw some decline compared to previous seasons.
Taillon, who signed a four-year, $68M deal prior to last year, remains a key figure in the Cubs’ rotation. Nevertheless, with his injury setbacks at the start of this season, the team may have to adjust their plans.
In Taillon’s absence, the Cubs have three rotation spots secured for Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Kyle Hendricks. There were originally plans for a competition for a fifth spot, but with Taillon’s uncertain status, there are now potentially two spots available for other pitchers such as Jordan Wicks, Drew Smyly, Hayden Wesneski, or Javier Assad.
Wicks, a promising prospect, showed potential last year despite his debut not being particularly impressive statistically. Smyly, a veteran, struggled last season but remains a likely roster candidate given his contract situation. Wesneski and Assad also offer options for the rotation or bullpen.
Despite the regular season drawing near, there are still notable free agents available, though the Cubs may not pursue additional spending. While Taillon’s absence is not expected to be lengthy, injuries to pitchers across the league could impact the market for free agents like Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and Michael Lorenzen.
In the meantime, the Cubs may rely on internal options to fill the gap left by Taillon’s absence, recognizing the importance of depth over the course of a long season. Additionally, they plan to manage Imanaga’s workload as he adjusts to the pitching schedule in North American baseball.
