The Chicago Cubs were dealt some bad news when it was announced that starting pitcher Jameson Taillon is dealing with a back injury that could keep him out of Opening Day and beyond.
They signed him last offseason to a four-year, $68 million deal thinking that he would come in and be a solid starter towards the top of their rotation.
His tenure did not get off to a good start in 2023 when he posted a career-high ERA of 4.84 across his 30 appearances and 29 starts, finishing with a below-average ERA+ of 93 over 154 1/3 innings pitched.
Taillon was looking for a bounce back season, but now it seems like he's going to miss time at the beginning of the year.
However, the Cubs got a positive development when he was able to throw on flat ground during a March 17 workout according to Scott Changnon of Marquee Sports Network.
It's expected that he'll likely begin the year on the injured list, but that could be backdated so he can return sooner if he continues to progress.
"With three days of allowable backdating, the Cubs can turn his 15-day IL stint into a 12-day stint, and with off-days, that could mean he slots in right at the end of the second turn through the rotation," writes Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation.
That would be huge for Chicago.
Stability within their pitching staff was a major issue they had to deal with in 2023 as both the starting unit and bullpen staff dealt with injuries that plagued them throughout the season.
Taillon would only be back on the earlier side of things if he responds to the rehab stint he's currently undergoing.
According to Bruce Levine of 670 the Score, that could be the case as the right-hander "will try and throw off the mound Tuesday or Wednesday" and he told reporters "his back has responded well to rest and treatment."
Hopefully that continues.
The Cubs need a good season from their prized free agent signing.
Two years of underperforming and injury issues would not bode well for the start of this contract.
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