Jameson Taillon threw successful live batting practice at Wrigley Field Tuesday, with the Cubs aiming for a minor-league rehab start this weekend—likely Sunday—after a stretch of injuries that has forced them to piece together a rotation and an overtaxed bullp
When the Cubs walked through Wrigley Field on Tuesday. it wasn’t another headline about who was headed to the injured list. For a staff that has been stretched thin by hamstrings. setbacks. and constant shuffling. the day came with something rarer: a clear step toward getting pitchers back on the mound.
Veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon threw a successful session of live batting practice Tuesday at Wrigley Field. and the Cubs are aiming to have him make a minor league rehab start this weekend. likely Sunday. Manager Craig Counsell laid out the plan. and if it holds. Taillon could make his first start off the injured list during the team’s final series before the All-Star break—against the Reds in Cincinnati.
Taillon last pitched June 7. Before going down with a hamstring strain. he led the majors in home runs allowed. and he’s still third with 20—tied with teammate Shota Imanaga—along with a 5.19 ERA. Those numbers weren’t soft issues, but the conversation around his return now is about more than speed to health. It’s about bodies, and what those bodies mean while the Cubs manage an unusually heavy injury load.
The Cubs are dealing with so many injuries that they currently have an entire rotation and a late-inning mix of relievers on the injured list at the same time. In that kind of reality. Taillon’s return would be more than symbolic—it would solidify one rotation spot in a group being pieced together under pressure.
“That’s a big part of it,” Taillon said Tuesday of his desire to get back. “I told Craig the other day after I threw a good bullpen [session]. I was like. ‘I’m probably about to start getting annoying.’ I was really trying not to be. and then with all the injuries and we’re playing well. we’re swinging it well — I think we’re turning a corner — you just want to be a part of that. especially this time of the year.
“It’s not early anymore. It’s time to go. I’m excited to help.”
Health will only get him so far. The Cubs still need results once he’s cleared, but Taillon also pointed to the value of the break itself—using time to work on the parts of pitching that don’t always show up on a stat line.
“I’m really excited about … some of the things we’re working on,” he said last week in New York. “It’s a good time to address some things. When you have a little bit of a break from results, you actually get to work on some stuff.”
Others remain out. Cade Horton is done for the year. Ben Brown and Justin Steele could find themselves limited to relief appearances if they make it back this season. Edward Cabrera is still a while away from returning. Still, a week ago Matthew Boyd was part of the injured group, as well, and he’s back making starts. Taillon could be next.
Pitching depth isn’t just a rotation problem right now—it’s bleeding into the bullpen. The strain has been visible in the injured list: relievers Daniel Palencia. Phil Maton. Hoby Milner and Ethan Roberts are all on the IL. With that kind of attrition, the Cubs have been looking outward in the month-plus leading up to the trade deadline.
A familiar name has already appeared in their orbit. Drew Pomeranz—the lefty reliever who was a big part of last year’s Cubs bullpen—returned to the organization on a minor-league deal. He’s pitching with Triple-A Iowa after being cut loose by the Angels earlier this month. In 2025, Pomeranz posted a 2.17 ERA in 57 games with the Cubs. He was an early-season trade acquisition and rose to a prominent spot in the relief corps.
Cubs officials won’t overpromise, but Counsell made the practical message clear.
“We need options,” he said Tuesday, “so that’s certainly an available option.”
One silver lining sits inside the chaos: even with all the injuries piling up. Taillon’s progress is concrete enough to change the Cubs’ next few weeks. Live batting practice is still just a step. but for a team that has spent weeks without stable innings from its pitchers. that step feels like momentum—one that could arrive right before the All-Star break. when the calendar finally starts demanding answers.
Jameson Taillon Cubs Wrigley Field injured list All-Star break Craig Counsell Reds rehab start Drew Pomeranz pitching depth
So he’s back soon right? Hopefully no more hamstring stuff.
Wrigley doing live BP and everyone acts like it’s guaranteed. Minor league rehab start… what does that even mean like he’s just gonna jog around and throw 6 pitches? I’m nervous for the bullpen, they been doing too much.
Isn’t this the dude who gives up a bunch of home runs? Like he was leading in that category, right? I feel like Cubs fans are gonna be disappointed if he comes back and the ERA’s still ugly. Also hamstrings linger, they don’t just go away cause you throw in a cage.
All this talk about Tuesday and Sunday and Reds before the All-Star break… meanwhile the Cubs could just trade for another starter and be done. But I guess injuries are like never-ending in Chicago sports, every year it’s the same. If he’s still 5.19 ERA like they said, then how is this helping? I don’t get it.