Cubs Injury Update: Jameson Taillon plan, Javier Assad assignment, Miguel Amaya

Jameson Taillon is working his way back from a calf injury that has had him sidelined since the beginning of July. Taillon is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday, and if all goes well, he will have another bullpen session next week while the Cubs are playing the Milwaukee Brewers. Assuming no setbacks, Taillon will start a minor-league rehab assignment after next week's bullpen session.

The timeline has Taillon likely making his return to the Cubs' rotation around the middle of August. In Taillon's place, the Cubs have been going with an opener; however, after it backfired on Monday, the team may be hoping to trade for a starting pitcher before his spot is due up again.

In his latest trade deadline update, Jesse Rogers of ESPN noted that the Cubs are desperate to avoid having to use another opener. At the very least, assuming the Cubs can add a frontline starting pitcher before the deadline, it will push back a separate decision for the rotation--who moves to the bullpen between Cade Horton and Colin Rea.

Cubs Injury Update: Javier Assad's return finally in sight

It would seem that Javier Assad is slightly ahead of Taillon as he works his way back from an oblique injury he suffered at the start of spring training. Assad is throwing in the Arizona Complex League this week, and could start a minor-league rehab assignment as early as next week. Considering he has yet to pitch at the Major League level this season, Assad will likely need several appearances before being ready to return to the big league roster.

An important distinction for the Cubs when it comes to Assad is that he can't be viewed as someone who is expected to provide stability to the pitching staff during the closing weeks of the season. Anything Assad can provide this season should be viewed as a bonus.

Cubs Injury Update: Miguel Amaya to begin minor-league rehab assignment this week

Like Assad, Miguel Amaya is working his way back from an oblique strain, though Amaya's was less severe. Amaya has been sidelined since May 24 and likely will need a week or two before he is ready to return to the Major League roster.

As it turns out, Amaya returning after the trade deadline may throw a slight wrinkle into one move the Cubs had planned. There'll be no trading of Reese McGuire as long as Amaya is working his way back from injury.

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