Cubs activate Jameson Taillon off IL to start Thursday, option rookie reliever
The Cubs activated Jameson Taillon from the injured list on Thursday morning and the righty will start the Cubs’ finale in Washington D.C. To make room on the active roster, the Cubs optioned righty reliever Jeremiah Estrada to Triple-A Iowa.
The #Cubs today activated RHP Jameson Taillon off of the 15-day IL and optioned RHP Jeremiah Estrada to @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/Ldo7OOURff
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 4, 2023
Taillon landed on the 15-day IL on April 20 with a left groin strain, an injury he felt the day prior playing catch in Oakland. Javier Assad started for the Cubs that night and the team has also used Caleb Kilian to fill that rotation spot.
On Wednesday, the Cubs placed catcher Yan Gomes on the 7-day concussion injured list and recalled righty Javier Assad. Taillon hasn’t pitched in a game since April 15, so the Cubs could opt to piggyback Assad after Taillon to cover some innings since Taillon will likely be on a pitch limit.
Taillon struggled out of the gates, allowing 7 runs on 13 hits in 9 innings across his first two starts. He seemingly began to figure things out in his April 15 start against the Dodgers striking out 7 and allowing just 2 hits in 5 shutout innings.
In his first start back, Taillon will be throwing to rookie Miguel Amaya, who was recalled from Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday and will be making his major-league debut.
Estrada has pitched in 3 games this year, striking out 6 in 4 innings of work.