Clearing the fear regarding this Chicago Cubs starting pitcher

The Cubs need improved production from their 2023 free-agent bust.

Jordan Campbell

Sep 29, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) speaks to the / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Jameson Taillon was on the mound for a Chicago Cubs' simulated game on Monday but the veteran starting pitcher has yet to appear in a Cactus League game.

With three weeks remaining before the start of the regular season, a short window remains for Taillon to be prepared to be a part of the team's starting rotation.

Taillon has yet to be announced among the Cubs' probable starters for their upcoming Spring Training games.

The opportunity remains for Taillon to have three potential starts before the start of the regular season but that is assuming he appears in game action within the next week.

Taillon is not dealing with an injury but he is working on a shift in his mechanics.

Taillon struggled during the first half of the 2023 season with the Cubs before finding success in the second half. Taillon posted a 3.70 ERA in his final 82 innings pitched last season, showing signs of being the veteran the Cubs believed they were signing last off-season.

Jameson Taillon needs to return to form during the 2024 season.

The Cubs will have a reliance on Taillon during the 2024 season. While Shota Imanga is expected to trend toward the top of the rotation, the team is being cautious with his Major League transition. Imanaga is expected to open the season as the Cubs' fifth starter, allowing the team to take advantage of the built-in off days during the first month of the season.

The issue with the Cubs' rotation is that they have yet to truly replace the first-half production they received from Marcus Stroman last season. Jordan Montgomery remains an ideal target for the Cubs but it's unlikely the team visits that possibility. With some evaluations expecting a regression from Justin Steele this season, Taillon will need to be the pitcher who steps up in the team's rotation, there can not be a repeat of the veteran's struggles from 2023.

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Jordan Campbell

For nearly 15 years, Jordan has been a workhorse across the FanSided network - including being the inaugural site expert for Cubbies Crib, as well as a stop at Da Windy City as the site expert. In addition to returning to be a Co-Site Expert at Cubbies Crib, Jordan was previously the Site Expert at Bear Goggles On. In the years since, Jordan has joined FanSided's full-time team, serving as a staff writer for the MLB division. Jordan's work can be seen across the MLB division, including a consistent presence on our Cubs, Twins, Astros, and Tigers sites. Since 2010, Jordan has dedicated his craft to providing insightful commentary on all things Chicago sports, and he has enjoyed his venture into all things Major League Baseball.