50 Jameson Taillon SP

Taillon allowed two runs on three hits while striking out seven across 4.2 innings in Wednesday's game against the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision.

Taillon was once considered the next big pitching prospect for the Pirates before two Tommy John surgeries and a run-in with testicular cancer halted his career progression. Finally healthy once again, everyone was intrigued to see how the 29-year-old would bounce back in his return to the mound, and he did not disappoint. Taillon didn't allow a baserunner through three innings but was punished in the fourth when he allowed two solo home runs in a span of three hitters. He ultimately was pulled after 74 pitches -- no surprise, as manager Aaron Boone said before the season that the team would be cautious with his workload early on. Taillon would've had a phenomenal outing if not for the two home runs allowed; however, he did record his final six outs via strikeout and did not issue any walks. He's expected to make his next appearance Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Taillon won't start until the Yankees' sixth game of the season April 7 against the Orioles, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Taillon will head into Opening Day as the team's nominal fifth starter, with Boone noting that he wants to "slow play" the right-hander as he returns from his second career Tommy John procedure, which he underwent in August 2019. Expect the Yankees to monitor Taillon's workload carefully to begin the season, while also building in extra days of rest for the 29-year-old whenever possible. Taillon has allowed only one run while striking out 14 over 8.1 innings this spring, but he's also walked four while yielding a .257 batting average against.

Through four Grapefruit League appearances, Taillon has given up one run on nine hits and four walks while striking out 14 in 8.1 innings.

The Yankees haven't asked Taillon to cover any more than 2.2 innings in any of his four spring outings, but the right-hander has looked good thus far in his comeback from Tommy John surgery. Expect New York to exercise some caution with Taillon's pitch and innings counts early on during the regular season, but the 29-year-old should get a longer leash as the campaign rolls along. He's projected to open the season as the Yankees' No. 3 starter.

Taillon started and tossed two scoreless innings against the Pirates in Saturday's Grapefruit League game, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out four.

Taillon was originally scheduled to pitch behind Gerrit Cole in the exhibition contest, but the Yankees instead opted to have Cole throwing a live batting practice session in Tampa while Taillon got the start against Pittsburgh. Taillon breezed through the first inning before allowing a pair of singles and a walk in the second frame, but he was able to escape without allowing any runs thanks to an inning-ending strikeout. The right-hander has now completed three scoreless innings this spring as he ramps up for the third-starter spot in the Yankees' regular-season rotation.

Taillon (elbow) tossed a live batting practice session Wednesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Taillon's ability to face hitters this early in spring training would seem to suggest that the Yankees are confident that he's made a full recovery from the May 2019 Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2020 campaign, his final season in Pittsburgh. After surrendering a quartet of prospects to acquire him in January, the Yankees are counting on a healthy Taillon to re-emerge as a reliable No. 2 or 3 starter behind his former Pirates rotation mate, staff ace Gerrit Cole. Expect the Yankees to use Taillon judiciously in games during the Grapefruit League slate, but he should be ready to handle a 75-to-100-pitch workload in starts by the beginning of the regular season in April.

Taillon (elbow) was traded from the Pirates to the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for prospects Miguel Yajure, Roansy Contreras, Maikol Escotto and Canaan Smith, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Trade talks surrounding the 29-year-old began to intensify Saturday, and it didn't take long for the two sides to come to terms on a trade. Taillon didn't pitch last season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery in May 2019, but he delivered a 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 179:46 K:BB over 191 innings during the 2018 campaign. The right-hander is expected to be ready for the start of the 2021 season and should slot into the middle of New York's starting rotation.

Taillon (elbow) signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Pirates on Wednesday to avoid arbitration, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

The 29-year-old sat out the entirety of the 2020 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so he agreed to the same $2.25 million figure from last year. Taillon underwent the procedure in August 2019 and was throwing live batting practice during the 2020 campaign, so he should be ready for the start of spring training in February. His last full season came in 2018, when he posted a 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 179:46 K:BB over 191 innings.

Taillon (elbow) threw 25 pitches at the Pirates' alternate training site Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Taillon isn't expected to return to game action before the 2021 season as he continues to recover from his second Tommy John surgery. The right-hander has appeared to shorten his arm action recently, creating optimism that he could still pitch for the Pirates following his return to full health.

Taillon (elbow) will throw live batting practice Wednesday at the alternate site in Altoona, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Former Pirates beat writer Travis Sawchik, now of FiveThirtyEight, retweeted a video that Taillon posted, noting that he has shortened his arm action, similar to what Lucas Giolito and many Cleveland pitchers have done in recent years. This may provide optimism that Taillon can be the rare pitcher who successfully recovers from two Tommy John surgeries. He is not expected back until the 2021 season.

Taillon (elbow), who will not pitch in the majors in 2020, will attend camp in Pittsburgh as part of his rehabilitation, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

He'll take the spot of Edgar Santana, who was suspended for 80 games due to PED usage. The move will allow Taillon to continue working with the medical staff in Pittsburgh. In an effort to better maintain his health following a second Tommy John surgery, the righty has made several mechanical adjustments. He's shortened his arm action in his throwing motion and is keeping the ball closer to his body, moves intended to put less stress on his arm and elbow.

Taillon (elbow) completed a bullpen session at PNC Park on Tuesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Now 10 months into his recovery from his second Tommy John surgery, Taillon looks to be progressing as expected now that he's taken another important step forward by getting back on the mound. The right-hander has already been ruled out for the 2020 season, but he'll likely to continue to stick around in Pittsburgh to have his rehab program monitored by the Pirates' medical staff. Taillon could be cleared to face hitters before the season ends, which would bode well for his chances of entering spring training without any major restrictions.

Taillon (elbow) indicated Thursday via his personal Twitter account that he's resumed throwing off flat ground four time per week.

Taillon is just under eight months removed from the second Tommy John surgery of his career and appears to have avoided any setbacks thus far in his rehab program. He should be able to get back on the mound and face hitters before the season ends, but the Pirates have already determined that he won't pitch in any games in 2020.

Taillon (elbow) resumed throwing this week after taking the first of two scheduled breaks in his program, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Apparently Taillon is getting after it again after a built-in break in his throwing progression. The Pirates are understandably taking it slow with the right-hander given that he's coming back from his second Tommy John surgery. A 2020 return has already been ruled out and Taillon will face limitations in 2021 as well, assuming he's even ready by then. The book is still very much open for Taillon, but history has generally not been kind to two-time TJ recipients.

Taillon (elbow) will not return in 2020 even if the season is considerably delayed, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Taillon underwent Tommy John surgery back in August and has been throwing for over two months. A typical recovery timeline for that procedure would rule him out for over a year. It's conceivable he could be ready to pitch if the schedule were extended deep into the fall, but the Pirates have already ruled out such plans. Taillon can remain completely off single-season draft boards.

Taillon (elbow) has been throwing from 120 feet, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Taillon is slowly working his way back from Tommy John surgery in August. A typical recovery timeline in a typical season would rule him out for the entirety of the campaign. Even if the schedule ends up being extended late into fall, his odds of appearing still seem quite slim.

The Pirates placed Taillon (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Taillon went under the knife last August for the second Tommy John surgery of his career, so the Pirates aren't counting on him to contribute at any point in 2020. His move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural, as it frees up a 40-man roster spot for newly signed outfielder Jarrod Dyson.

Taillon (elbow) resumed throwing Monday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic reports.

Taillon underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career in August and has already been ruled out from appearing at any point in the upcoming season. The fact that he's already throwing bodes well for his return in 2021, but he still has a long road ahead of him before he's ready to pitch again.

Taillon (elbow) and the Pirates avoided arbitration with a one-year, $2.25 million contract Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Taillon made just seven starts before being shut down with a flexor strain in early May. He suffered a setback soon after he resumed throwing in mid-July and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-August. He's expected to miss the entirety of the 2020 campaign.

Taillon underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday.

Taillon underwent flexor tendon repair surgery Tuesday, and it was determined during the procedure that the right-hander also required Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. This is a brutal blow for the 27-year-old, who is expected to miss all of the 2020 season as a result. Prior to suffering the injury, Taillon posted a 4.10 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB in seven starts (37.1 innings) for the Pirates this season.

Taillon is expected to undergo surgery to repair his elbow flexor tendon within the next few weeks, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

There's apparently a small chance that Dr. David Altchek could discover more extensive damage while performing the surgery, which would ultimately lead to another Tommy John procedure for the right-hander, though the medical team is optimistic that won't be the case. The expectation is that Taillon will be sidelined for 7-to-9 months following the procedure, which would allow him to rejoin the Pirates' stating rotation by May of 2020, if all goes well. A second Tommy John surgery would keep him out until 2021.