The Chicago Cubs are just three weeks away from opening their 2024 season against the defending champion Rangers. With that, we will see the projected starters in the lineup more often and play more innings. There is plenty of data to collect, and big decisions need to be made before Opening Day. The roster needs to be filled out, the primary third baseman needs to be named, and the final spot in the starting rotation is up for grabs. One pitcher we know we will see in the rotation is starter Jameson Taillon.
Taillon signed a four-year deal before last season worth $68 million. 2023 was not particularly the best for him, though. Through his first 13 starts, Taillon was 2-6 with a 6.90 ERA. But when the calendar flipped to July, so did his mojo. He went 6-4 the rest of the way and worked his ERA down to 4.84. His efforts were almost able to help catapult the Cubs into playoff contention. However, the longevity of the rotation and bullpen could not withstand the last couple of weeks of the season.
The hope for 2024 was that Taillon would trend toward the numbers the Cubs saw in the second half of the season. He added a pitch called the “Sweeper” to his arsenal and started throwing his curveball more in late 2023. Taillon knew what to work on when he entered camp in Mesa, Arizona. But the problem is we haven’t seen him out there yet. We now know why.
Jameson Taillon Working Through “Mechanical Issues” Before Spring Debut
Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote a piece Monday saying Jameson Taillon is working through some mechanical issues, as well as some tightness in his calves. Due to these lingering things, he has not made an appearance in a spring training game. He did throw three innings in a simulated game earlier this week, which leads to speculation we could see him soon.
Every other starter, either with a spot in the rotation or vying for a place, has made a start. Taillon will be the last of the starters to start ramping up before Opening Day. He is currently projected to be the Cubs’ second starter behind left-hander Justin Steele.
Of all the potential starters, left-hander Jordan Wicks has pitched the most innings this spring with 8.0 innings pitched. He has a 2.25 ERA with three strikeouts thus far as he battles for the final spot in the rotation. The next closest to him is veteran Kyle Hendricks, who has gone 5.0 innings.
This is all to say that these guys are still ramping up before Opening Day. Though two weeks have gone by, Taillon is not as far behind the eight ball as it may seem. If he can see live-action as soon as this week, he will be on pace to still be able to start Opening Weekend. But if he is not ready, the Cubs do have plenty of support to be able to take the blow this early.
