Jameson Taillon's future with Cubs should be in doubt

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jameson Taillon's future with Cubs should be in doubt after rough outing vs. Pirates

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 26, 2026 6:22 PM ET

On Sunday, Chicago Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon made his first start since suffering a left hamstring strain in June. It could be a long time before his next one.

The Pittsburgh Pirates rocked Taillon in an 8-7 home win over Chicago. The 34-year-old pitcher allowed six hits and seven earned runs (four of which came on a grand slam) in four innings pitched, dropping his starting record to 2-6.

Following the rough outing in Pittsburgh, Cubs manager Craig Counsell refused to say when Taillon will make his next start. That update spells even more trouble for the pitcher, whose future in Chicago was already highly uncertain before Sunday's start.

Jameson Taillon's days with Cubs could be numbered after start against Pirates

Taillon, who is in the last year of a four-year, $68M deal with the Cubs, needed a big year to solidify his future with Chicago. He simply hasn't delivered to this point in the season. Before Sunday's game, he had posted a career-worst 5.38 ERA in 72 innings pitched.

O'YINZ SEE THAT?? pic.twitter.com/1gSX9Wqsld
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 26, 2026

Injuries are clearly taking a toll on the pitcher. Along with the hamstring problem, he has battled groin, calf and back issues during his tenure with the Cubs.

Craig Counsell would NOT commit to Jameson Taillon making his next start

Said they need to discuss what’s best for the staff moving forward
— CHGO Cubs (@CHGO_Cubs) July 26, 2026

The Cubs could opt to move Taillon out of the starting rotation and mainly use him as a relief pitcher instead. Chicago isn't one of the elite pitching teams in baseball, but its rotation should be strong enough without him. It features ace Shota Imanaga, who has posted a 3.72 ERA in 121 innings pitched this season.

And, of course, the Cubs can fortify their starting rotation before the trade deadline on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET. They should consider targeting Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, a two-time All-Star.

Even then, it's unclear if the Cubs can trust Taillon coming out of the bullpen, given how much he has struggled this season. That makes the pitcher's future with Chicago even more uncertain.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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