Latest Cubs injury update on key starting pitcher points in the right direction

There's no two ways about it: Jameson Taillon has not been good this year. He's at -0.6 bWAR and has a 5.19 ERA across 13 starts. Even so, the Chicago Cubs desperately need him back in the starting rotation and it sounds like we're inching closer to that happening.

Craig Counsell gave some updates to reporters before Tuesday night's game at Wrigley Field, noting that Drew Pomeranz is getting work in at Triple-A after re-joining the organization on a minor-league deal and injured closer Daniel Palencia is not expected back until after the All-Star break. Taillon, meanwhile, threw this week and could be in line for a rehab start with an affiliate later this week.

Beggars can't be choosers. Some of the box scores lately have looked more like something from an early Cactus League matchup than a late June regular season game, with Counsell's hodge-podge of arms embracing an 'all hands on deck' mentality to keep the team afloat as it awaits the returns of key pitchers.

Jameson Taillon could quickly rewrite the narrative on his 2026 season

The return of Taillon could allow the Cubs to push Javier Assad or Colin Rea to a relief role, adding an experienced long man to the mix while breathing fresh life into a rotation that's weathered injury after injury all season long. The veteran right-hander last pitched on June 7, so he'll wind up missing roughly a full month with his hamstring issue.

In the final year of the four-year, $68 million pact he signed with Chicago prior to the 2023 season, Taillon will have a chance to leave on a high note and erase the disappointment that's followed him much of the year. All told, he's been a solid contributor during his Cubs tenure, but as we all know, it's how you finish that fans tend to remember.

A healthy (and, hopefully, effective) Taillon could be a huge boost to the Cubs as they look to stay on the Brewers' heels heading into the second half - and hopefully, once they get closer to full strength this summer, they can play spoiler in the National League playoff picture.

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