I know that when the Chicago Cubs signed Jameson Taillon, the reaction was almost split. Maybe it leaned on the negative portion a bit. I was on the other side, thinking the veteran righty could be a workhorse in the rotation, providing some much-needed stability on the pitching staff. We’re getting near the end of Taillon’s first year with the Cubs and holy shit has he proven me wrong so far.
And it’s not like I, or whoever had the same opinion, cares about being right, it’s that Taillon keeps fucking things up for the Cubs and continues to be a hinderance to the team’s goal of reaching the postseason.
On Sunday, Taillon gave up three more home runs and was charged with five earned runs in 5.2 innings against the Cincinnati Reds. That included giving up back-to-back home runs in the first inning after the Cubs got out to a quick 1-0 lead and then he allowed a two-run home run in the second inning after the offense was able to put the Cubs ahead 3-2 in the top of the inning.
Fans are seeing the same struggles every time Taillon is on the mound. His fastball leaks to the middle of the plate and it gets smashed. Plus, Taillon loves giving up runs early, putting the Cubs behind almost immediately, having to play catch up when the 31-year-old pitcher starts the game.
Taillon now has a 5.73 ERA in 25 starts. He had a great run in July and a few more quality starts in August, but overall the big free agent addition to the starting rotation has been a massive disappointment in 2023.
The Cubs have been fortunate enough to have Javier Assad and most recently Jordan Wicks step up in the rotation in the second half of the season and now Taillon’s spot should be in doubt if Marcus Stroman can return later in September.
Stroman hasn’t pitched since July 31, as he’s been sidelined with right-hip inflammation and then a bizarre rib fracture that extended his stint on the injured list. I say bizarre because neither Stroman nor the team knows how he suffered the injury.
Anyway, Stroman was shut down in the middle of August, needing to rest because of the rib cartilage fracture, but he’s going to be back throwing on Monday. Stroman is down in Arizona, where he’s preparing his return.
The team hasn’t given any timetables for Stroman’s return, but if the right-hander can progress quickly, then a return to the Cubs in a few weeks is very possible.
I know the last impression left by Stroman wasn’t good, but you’d hope that his hip issue was the leading factor to his struggles. The righty also had an injury in 2022 and spent time on the COVID-19 IL, but when he’s been healthy Stroman has been great with the Cubs.
This year, before the London start against the St. Louis Cardinals, Stroman had a 2.28 ERA through his first 16 starts of the season. That included 14 quality starts.
Taillon has five quality starts all season.
