With just under a month until Opening Day of the 2024 MLB season, there are still questions surrounding the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation. Will Jameson Taillon, who has yet to appear in a Spring Training game, will be ready by Opening Day?
Cubs fans now know why the right-hander hasn't jumped into Cactus League action. Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Taillon is working on a mechanical issue in his delivery and dealing with tightness in his calves.
After joining the Cubs last offseason, Taillon's first half of the 2023 campaign was shaky as he posted a 6.15 ERA before the All-Star break. However, from July 18 to the end of the season, he logged a 3.70 ERA with 77 strikeouts and 19 walks in 82.2 innings of work. Overall, Taillon had an 8-10 record, 4.84 ERA, 1.276 WHIP, and 140 strikeouts across 154.1 innings.
Maybe it’s much ado about nothing, but for a veteran who signed a four-year $68 million contract with expectations of being a top-of-the-rotation arm, coming into camp with mechanical issues could be a red flag. Taillon reportedly threw three innings in a simulated game on Monday, so the hope is that he's just polishing a few minor issues.
If the Cubs plan to make any noise in 2024 and win the Central Division, the starting rotation must fire on all cylinders. That includes a bounce-back season from Taillon.
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