Cubs Injury Update: Jameson Taillon rehab start, Matt Shaw timeline, Shelby Miller

With Bryse Wilson being designated for assignment a week after playing savior for the Chicago Cubs pitching staff against the Milwaukee Brewers, it's another reminder that few spots across the staff are anchored down as the team navigates an endless wave of injuries.

Getting to the All-Star break has always been the goal for the Cubs. That's around the time the Cubs would have clear updates on some of their injuries, with the hope of seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

Jameson Taillon set for a rehab start on Sunday, could rejoin Cubs next weekend

That hope is validated with Jameson Taillon making a minor-league rehab start with Class-A South Bend on Sunday. If all goes well, it would seem that Taillon would pitch against the Cincinnati Reds next weekend.

The fact that Taillon could only make one rehab start after missing over a month with a hamstring strain speaks to the dire need the Cubs have for established pitching. Especially when Taillon has struggled this season. Nonetheless, his return would allow the Cubs to push one of Javier Assad or Colin Rea to the bullpen.

Matt Shaw's return pushed back until after the All-Star break

While Taillon now has an expectation of returning before the All-Star break, the same can't be said for Matt Shaw. There was some hope that Shaw's stint on the IL with a wrist sprain would be minimal, but Craig Counsell confirmed on Saturday his return will take place after the break.

Shaw's injury came right when the expectation was that he get regular appearances in the Cubs starting lineup moving forward. He had posted a wRC+ of 143 across his last 43 plate appearances before the injury, and provided an early boost for an offense starting to turn the corner away from their struggles in May.

Shelby Miller could be a needed boost for the Cubs' bullpen in September

The Cubs signed Shelby Miller at the start of spring training with the expectation that he would spend the 2026 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Signed to a two-year deal, the expectation was that Miller was an early addition for the 2027 bullpen.

Miller, however, has maintained the belief that he could be pitching for the Cubs by September of this season. After the latest update, he could be on track for doing so. Miller not only has resumed his throwing program, but starting to mix in some live BP.

Much like Justin Steele's potential return, the Cubs should view any contribution from Miller this season as a bonus. They shouldn't approach the trade deadline with the idea that they don't have to act with urgency in the bullpen, considering the hope that Miller could be a solution before the end of the season. That's not a recipe for success.

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