Jameson Taillon to the injured list with calf injury
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon was placed on the injured list on Friday due to a right calf strain, the team announced before their game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He is expected to miss “more than a month,” according to manager Craig Counsell. Taillon, 33 years old, injured his calf in his last speed run after a bullpen session on Thursday.Taillon was 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA in 17 starts for the Cubs this season, who recently got left-hander Shota Imanaga back from a hamstring injury. Now they will have to face at least the rest of this month without one of their other key starters.A significant amount of time will be lost.
Craig Counsell
The team called up left-hander Jordan Wicks to take Taillon’s spot on the roster, although he won’t go straight into the rotation. Instead, the Cubs will throw a bullpen game on Saturday against the Cardinals and “from there,” according to Counsell. Wicks, 25, went 1-3 with a save, a 4.06 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 12 appearances (11 starts) with Triple-A Iowa this season. In his last five starts dating back to May 18, he posted a 1.65 ERA with 20 strikeouts, compared to just three walks, a 0.86 WHIP and a .186 batting average by opponents. The team could also consider a more important role for right-hander Chris Flexen, who has been fantastic for them out of the bullpen. Flexen, 31, has an ERA of 0.62 in 16 games, including a four-inning stint late last month.There’s a little bit of room for us to be flexible right now. We’ll use that to our advantage and go from there.
Craig Counsell
The Cubs’ front office has already stated that they are looking for a starting pitcher before the trade deadline later this month. Counsell was asked if Taillon’s injury increases that need. He did not elaborate. The deadline for changes isn’t until July 31st. I’m focusing on the next week or 10 games before the All-Star break.He’s certainly a candidate to be extended. He’s prepared to do a little more.
Craig Counsell
