With Kyle Hendricks and Jordan Wicks running cold in the starting rotation, the Chicago Cubs provided optimism with the expected return of Jameson Taillon.
Taillon didn't see action during the Cactus League slate as a back issue kept him on the shelf. But that's now in the rearview mirror as Taillon is set to return Thursday against the Miami Marlins and provide the value the Cubs envisioned extracting from him when he signed in Chicago.
So far, Shota Imanaga and Javier Assad have helped the Cubs tremendously with their dazzling starts to the 2024 season. Going through the adversity of also losing ace Justin Steele on Opening Day seemed to be an ominous beginning to how the season.
But the Cubs currently sport an 11-7 record as both sides of the ball have done their best to keep the ship afloat. With Taillon's return, the club will get one step closer to putting their ideal projected depth chart on the field.
Taillon made two starts in the minors — one with Triple-A Iowa and another with Double-A Tennessee. While his Double-A outing didn't go well, the veteran looked much better with the Iowa Cubs.
With that, the Cubs should be hopeful that Taillon is trending in the right direction on the eve of his first MLB start this season. One could assume the Cubs will limit how deep the right-hander goes initially, but once he's deemed full-go, the Cubs will have improved their staff.
Coming off a road trip of highs and lows, the Cubs look to continue the momentum of Wednesday's series finale victory. A seven-game homestand begins Thursday as the Cubs welcome the Miami Marlins to the Friendly Confines for four games followed by a three-game set against the Houston Astros.
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