Finally, a day where the Cubs weren’t announcing a trip to the injured list.
And instead of just “no news being good news,” there actually was some good news for an injury-ravaged pitching staff: Veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon is nearing his return to the major league mound.
Taillon, who last pitched June 7, threw a successful session of live batting practice Tuesday at Wrigley Field, and the Cubs are aiming to have him make a minor league rehab start this weekend, likely Sunday, said manager Craig Counsell.
If all goes well, Taillon could make his first start off the injured list during the team’s final series before the All-Star break, against the Reds in Cincinnati.
The Cubs are dealing with so many injuries in their pitching staff – the team has an entire rotation and late-inning mix of relievers on the IL simultaneously – that they’re simply in need of bodies at the moment.
But a Taillon return would figure to provide a much bigger spark and solidify one spot in a rotation currently being pieced together.
“That’s a big part of it,” Taillon said Tuesday of his desire to get back. “I told Craig the other day after I threw a good bullpen [session], I was like, ‘I’m probably about to start getting annoying.’ I was really trying not to be, and then with all the injuries and we’re playing well, we’re swinging it well – I think we’re turning a corner – you just want to be a part of that, especially this time of the year.
“It’s not early anymore. It’s time to go. I’m excited to help.”
Of course, Taillon will also need to deliver results on top of mere health. Before going down with a hamstring strain, he led the majors in home runs allowed, and he’s still third in that department with 20, tied with teammate Shota Imanaga. He’s got a 5.19 ERA.
A silver lining to an injury-induced layoff? Time to iron out any issues that might have contributed to those negative results.
“I’m really excited about … some of the things we’re working on,” Taillon said last week in New York. “It’s a good time to address some things. When you have a little bit of a break from results, you actually get to work on some stuff.”
While Cade Horton is done for the year, Ben Brown and Justin Steele could find themselves limited to relief appearances if they make it back this season and Edward Cabrera is still weeks away from returning, this is progress on the injury front for the rotation.
A week ago, Matthew Boyd was part of that injured group, as well, and he’s back making starts. Taillon could be next, a big deal given the Cubs’ current injury challenges.
Help on the way?
As Jed Hoyer’s front office continues to scour the baseball world for pitching reinforcements in the month-plus leading up to the sport’s trade deadline, a familiar face could be the next fill-in.
Drew Pomeranz, the lefty reliever who was a big part of last year’s Cubs bullpen, is back with the organization on a minor league deal, pitching with Triple-A Iowa after being cut loose by the Angels earlier this month.
Pomeranz posted a 2.17 ERA in 57 games with the Cubs in 2025. An early-season trade acquisition, he rose to a prominent spot in the relief corps.
Considering all the injuries to strike the bullpen in recent days – relievers Daniel Palencia, Phil Maton, Hoby Milner and Ethan Roberts are all on the injured list – could Pomeranz be the proverbial next man up?
“We need options,” Counsell said Tuesday, “so that’s certainly an available option.”