Cubs News: Jameson Taillon, Miguel Amaya, Javier Assad nearing returns

Hopefully, the Chicago Cubs' blowout victory over the rival St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night was a sign of things to come. Regardless, the team could soon get some critical reinforcements, with Miguel Amaya, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad all nearing a return from the injured list.

Amaya seems likely to be the first to rejoin the club, based on Craig Counsell's pregame comments this weekend, which could end Reese McGuire's time in a Cubs uniform.

“He’s going to play tomorrow night [with Iowa] and then assuming everything goes well, he’ll join us at some point in Toronto," Counsell said. “I think we’re going to wait until after tomorrow (Sunday) to kind of figure out the [pitching] plans for the week.”

Following Sunday's series finale in St. Louis, the Cubs have a scheduled off-day Monday and then open a three-game set in Toronto against the Blue Jays before returning home for a pivotal eight-game homestand with three against the Pirates and five against the white-hot Brewers.

Cubs could soon get some important reinforcements from the injured list

Getting back to full strength prior to that Milwaukee series feels like the Cubs' only chance at closing the gap in the NL Central race. The Brewers entered Sunday with a sizable five-game edge over Chicago - and FanGraphs pegs the Cubs' chances of winning the division at just 25.1 percent.

Colin Rea twirled a gem on Saturday, but it's clear this pitching staff could use a shake-up. The bullpen, in particular, has struggled in the second half. Cubs relievers have allowed 17 home runs since the All-Star break - the most in baseball. Ryan Brasier, who could be the odd man out once Assad and Taillon return, has allowed four of those.

The Michael Soroka injury only increased the importance of getting Assad and Taillon back for the stretch run. Jed Hoyer pushed his chips in on Soroka as the team's lone rotation addition and that gamble lasted all of two innings before the oft-injured right-hander departed with a shoulder issue. If Assad and Taillon can return and be effective (Taillon looked much sharper Friday in his second rehab start and Assad has been dialed in at Iowa, as well), it could be a huge difference-maker for Chicago.

If the offense can finally turn the page on its recent slump and these three come back from the IL, it could set the Cubs up to make a late-season push with an eye on carrying momentum into October.