The Chicago Cubs got some good news Monday. Right-hander Jameson Taillon is off the 15-day injured list. In the corresponding moves, Phil Maton went on the IL with right knee tendinitis, and lefty Drew Pomeranz was designated for assignment.
Taillon back in the rotation is a real boost. He was pitching well before the injury, and Chicago needs every starter it can get with the trade deadline two weeks away and playoff positioning on the line.
Taillon Was Producing
Before hitting the IL, Taillon was giving the Cubs quality innings. He’s been a rotation stabilizer since arriving in Chicago, and his return means Craig Counsell can go back to using his top starters in a normal rotation pattern.
The Cubs are in a Wild Card race that’s tightening by the week. Every win from July through September counts. Taillon back means one fewer bullpen game every fifth day. That saves the relief corps for actual save situations.
Maton Goes Down, Bullpen Reshapes
Losing Phil Maton is not a small deal. He’s been a key setup arm this year, bridging the gap between the starters and closer Porter Hodge. Right knee tendinitis is not usually a long-term injury, but it can linger. The Cubs need him back by early August at the latest.
With Maton down, expect more high-leverage work for Ryan Pressly and Julian Merryweather. The Cubs may also lean harder on their trade deadline plans. Bullpen depth is one of the areas most contenders address in the last two weeks of July, and the Cubs are no exception.
Pomeranz DFA
Drew Pomeranz’s designation for assignment is a footnote in most stories but worth noting. Pomeranz has been in the league since 2011 and had bounced around trying to keep his career alive. The Cubs gave him a shot as a lefty bullpen piece. It did not work.
Pomeranz will likely be picked up by another team looking for veteran lefty depth. If he clears waivers, he heads to Triple-A. This is just the reality of a 39-year-old journeyman pitcher trying to find one more year in the majors.
What This Says About the Cubs’ Deadline Strategy
Chicago is a buyer. That much is clear. The Cubs are in the mix for the National League Wild Card, and they know they need to add. Getting Taillon back is a small step. Landing a real starter and a reliable bullpen arm at the deadline would be a bigger one.
The Cubs are also reportedly scouting catchers. They’ve been at Wrigley for other teams’ catchers, but they’ve also been looking at their own depth chart. Miguel Amaya has been solid but not spectacular. If the Cubs can upgrade, they will.
The Playoff Math
Chicago is playing solid baseball. They’re a few games above .500 and within striking distance of the top three teams in the NL Wild Card race. Losing Taillon for a stretch made things harder. Getting him back makes them easier.
Craig Counsell has been managing this team through the injury bug all year. His depth calls have kept the Cubs afloat. Now with Taillon back, Chicago can go on a real run in August if the offense holds up.
The next two weeks are critical. Every start Taillon makes has playoff implications. Every deadline move Jed Hoyer makes will define whether this Cubs season ends in October or in disappointment.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
