Taillon allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Saturday.
Taillon fell one out shy of a quality start, though he exited the game at 105 pitches (68 strikes) after giving up an RBI double to Masyn Winn in the sixth inning. This was an improvement on Taillon's last two starts -- he didn't complete five innings in either of those games. The right-hander is at a 2.58 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 38.1 innings over seven starts this season, but his 4.69 FIP and .238 BABIP suggest he's enjoyed good luck so far, especially earlier in the season. He's projected for a road start versus the Brewers in his next outing.
Taillon (3-2) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Pirates.
Taillon was a bit inefficient, throwing 55 of 92 pitches for strikes. This was the second start in a row where he failed to complete five innings, and it's the third time in a row he's walked multiple batters. The right-hander is now at a 2.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB through 32.2 innings over six starts, though his strong April has given way to a shakier May following a bout with back stiffness. Taillon is tentatively projected to make his next start on the road in St. Louis.
Taillon (3-1) took the loss Tuesday, surrendering seven runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks over four innings as the Cubs fell 7-0 to Atlanta. He struck out two.
The right-hander's own fielding error in the fourth inning softened the blow to his ERA, but Taillon's final line was by no means undeserved as he served up homers to Michael Harris and Matt Olson in his last frame. It's the first time in five starts Taillon has been taken deep multiple times, and he'll take a 1.61 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through 28 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Pirates.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Taillon (back) will start Tuesday's game in Atlanta, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
A bout with back stiffness resulted in Taillon being scratched from his scheduled start Friday in Pittsburgh, but the right-hander responded well enough from a bullpen session Saturday for the Cubs to clear him to take the hill in Atlanta. With Kyle Hendricks (back) coming off the 15-day injured list to start Sunday in Pittsburgh, Taillon will end up taking over the spot in the rotation that had previously belonged to Hayden Wesneski, who has been moved to the bullpen.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Not ready to start Sunday
Rotowire
Taillon (back) won't start Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Taillon was scratched from a scheduled start Friday due to back stiffness. He had hoped to take the ball Sunday after throwing off a mound Saturday, but he's not quite ready to go, even though the mound session reportedly went well. It's unclear at this point when Taillon might be ready to make his next start, but the Cubs seems to be optimistic that he'll avoid the 15-day injured list.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: No longer starting Friday
Rotowire
Taillon won't start Friday in Pittsburgh, as the Cubs list Javier Assad as their starter for the series opener versus the Pirates, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The late change perhaps hints that Taillon may be tending to an injury. The decision to have Assad take the hill for the series opener instead wouldn't seem to be the result of any dissatisfaction with Taillon's performance, as the 32-year-old has opened his second season with the Cubs with a 3-0 record, 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 24 innings. Justin Steele will take the hill on four days' rest to start Saturday, while the Cubs are listing their starter for Sunday's series finale as "TBA." More clarity on Chicago's plans for Sunday -- as well as when Taillon might next pitch -- could come prior to Friday's contest.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Dealing with back stiffness
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Taillon was scratched from Friday's start against the Pirates due to back stiffness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Taillon felt his back tighten up Tuesday when playing catch, and it didn't improve in time for him to make his scheduled start in the series opener. Counsell noted that the right-hander's back issue is not as bad as the one he dealt with in spring training, which caused Taillon to start the season on the 15-day IL. He will be re-evaluated Saturday, and there's a chance he could take the mound Sunday. Javier Assad will start Friday while Justin Steele will get the nod Saturday.
Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Beats Brewers for third win
Rotowire
Taillon (3-0) earned the win over the Brewers on Saturday, allowing two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
The bullpen allowed Milwaukee back into the game with five runs, though Hector Neris ultimately shut the door to preserve the win. Taillon's seven strikeouts Saturday set a season high after he'd previously topped out at four Ks in an outing. Since returning from a back injury, Taillon has allowed just three earned runs with a 16:5 K:BB over 24 innings. Regression will come at some point, but Taillon will have a great chance to keep the good times rolling next weekend in Pittsburgh.
