The Cubs designated Taillon for assignment Monday.
Taillon has been a staple in the Chicago rotation for the last three-plus seasons, but the 34-year-old right-hander declined precipitously in 2026. His 5.92 ERA over his 15 starts was by far the worst mark of his career, and most of Taillon's underlying metrics (5.86 xERA, 4.53 SIERA) didn't point to a major turnaround in his performance even if his bloated 21.4 HR/FB% had returned to a more normal level. Rather than moving Taillon to a bullpen role, the Cubs will drop him from the 40-man roster and look to find a taker for him via trade. However, Chicago would presumably have to eat a significant amount of the money remaining on Taillon's $18 million salary for 2026 to facilitate any deal. If the Cubs can't work out a trade, Taillon will be exposed to waivers and would likely be released once he clears.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Hit hard in sixth loss
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Taillon (2-6) took the loss Sunday against the Pirates, allowing seven runs on six hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out three.
Taillon was clobbered by the Pittsburgh bats Sunday, serving up three home runs and a double as well. The 34-year-old right-hander has been stung by the long ball all year long -- he's tied with Zack Littell and Aaron Nola for the National League lead with 25 homers allowed despite making six fewer appearances than those other two hurlers. Taillon is set to bring a 5.92 ERA, his career-worst mark, 1.36 WHIP and 68:27 K:BB over 76 innings into a tough matchup against the Yankees.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Allows four runs in return from IL
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Taillon did not factor into the decision of Monday's extra-inning loss, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Tigers. He struck out six.
Making his first start since June 7 after landing on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, Taillon was ambushed early, allowing all four runs in the first inning on back-to-back homers by Riley Greene and Dillon Dingler. It has been a challenging season for Taillon, as after posting an ERA below 4.00 and winning at least 10 games in each of the past two regular seasons, the veteran right-hander has stumbled to a 2-5 record with a 5.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 65:25 K:BB across 72 innings (14 starts) in 2026. His next outing is tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Pirates.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Activated ahead of Monday's outing
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The Cubs activated Taillon (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Taillon will rejoin the Cubs' rotation with a start Monday against the Tigers after missing the last six weeks of action with a strained left hamstring. The veteran right-hander threw only 53 pitches in his last rehab start with Triple-A Iowa, so he will be relatively limited from a workload perspective versus Detroit.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Returning against Tigers
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Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Taillon (hamstring) will return from the injured list during the Cubs' upcoming series against the Tigers, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
It's still unknown exactly which game of the series Taillon will start, but the Cubs should announce their pitching plans later this weekend. The 34-year-old righty has been on the shelf since June 9 due to a strained left hamstring but was cleared to begin pitching in minor-league games July 5. He gave up just one walk and one hit while striking out three batters in 4.2 shutout innings during his most recent outing at Triple-A Iowa but threw just 53 pitches, so he could have a workload restriction in place while he makes his second-half debut.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Appears ready to return from IL
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Taillon (hamstring) struck out three and allowed one hit and one walk over 4.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Iowa.
Making the second start of his rehab assignment, Taillon built up to 53 pitches (34 strikes) and posted an excellent Called Strikes plus Whiffs rate of 32.1 percent. According to MLB.com, Taillon is slated to throw during the All-Star break, and if the Cubs' coaching and training staffs are satisfied with how he looks, the veteran right-hander should rejoin the big-league rotation to begin the second half. Taillon has been on the shelf since June 9 due to a left hamstring strain.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Headed for another rehab start
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Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Taillon (hamstring) is expected to make another rehab start before returning from the 15-day injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Though Taillon joined the team in Baltimore for the start of their six-game road trip, Counsell said that the right-hander won't be activated this week unless the Cubs lose one of their healthy starters to an injury and have to adjust the rotation on the fly. Assuming Taillon isn't needed, he'll report to an affiliate over the weekend to make the second start of his rehab assignment before returning from the IL following the All-Star break. Taillon made his first rehab start this past Sunday at High-A South Bend, tossing 3.1 innings and 45 pitches (32 strikes) while striking out two and allowing one run on four hits and zero walks.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Expected to miss more than month
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Taillon (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Taillon landed on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain Tuesday, and manager Craig Counsell outlined that the right-hander is not expected to be able to return to action until mid-to-late July. Javier Assad will likely replace Taillon in the Cubs' starting rotation in the meantime, while Shota Imanaga is now the last remaining arm from the team's Opening Day rotation that hasn't spent time on the IL this season.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Ticketed for IL
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Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Giants that Taillon (hamstring) will be headed to the 15-day injured list, Marquee Sports Network reports.
Taillon was charged with an earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out two batters over one inning before he was forced out of his start Sunday in the top of the second due to a left hamstring strain. Counsell noted that the severity of the injury until Taillon receives imaging Monday, but the Cubs have already determined that the hamstring strain will keep the right-hander out of commission for at least the next two weeks. Javier Assad tossed 6.1 shutout innings in long relief following Taillon's departure Sunday, but Assad could end up sticking in the bullpen if Matthew Boyd (knee) is cleared to return from the 15-day IL by the time Taillon's turn in the rotation comes up next weekend in San Francisco.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Dealing with hamstring injury
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Taillon suffered a left hamstring strain in the second inning of Sunday's game against the Giants, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Taillon pulled up lame on the final pitch of a six-pitch walk to Matt Chapman in the top of the second inning, and his departure is now understood to be the result of a hamstring injury. The right-hander now appears to be at risk of going on the 15-day injured list, and depending on the severity of the strain, Taillon could be forced to miss extended time. Javier Assad came on in relief of Taillon and could be a potential replacement in the rotation if Taillon is forced to the IL, though Matthew Boyd (knee) could also be ready for activation the next time a fifth starter is needed.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Exits early Sunday
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Taillon (undisclosed) left Sunday's start against the Giants in the second inning, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Taillon surrendered one run on two hits and a walk in the top of the first inning before walking Matt Chapman to open the top of the second. The right-hander immediately signaled to the Cubs' dugout after his final pitch to Chapman, and he was promptly removed from the contest. It's unclear what exactly caused Taillon's early departure, but more information on his status will likely be provided in the near future. In the meantime, Javier Assad replaced him on the mound against San Francisco.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Takes loss despite quality start
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Taillon (2-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six over 6.1 innings.
Taillon turned in a respectable outing, but Chicago's offense provided little support as the right-hander dropped to 0-4 over his last six starts. He remains without a win since April 29. The biggest issue once again was the long ball, as the veteran surrendered a solo homer to Nick Kurtz in the third inning and now leads the majors with 20 home runs allowed this season. Taillon currently owns the fourth-highest qualified ERA in MLB at 5.13 and his 6.58 FIP is even more alarming, sitting 1.14 points higher than the next closest qualified pitcher. He will seek to build off Tuesday's successes in his next start, scheduled against San Francisco.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Serves up two more homers
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Taillon took a no-decision Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out four.
Although Taillon got enough run support to keep him out of the loss column, he wasn't particularly effective on the bump Wednesday. The 34-year-old right-hander continues to get stung by the long ball on a regular basis, serving up multiple home runs six times already this year -- including two Wednesday -- and allowing at least one homer in nine of his 11 starts. Having given up at least four runs in three straight outings, Taillon will be tough to trust when he takes a 5.37 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 51:20 K:BB over 60.1 innings into his next scheduled start against the Athletics.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Stuck with third straight loss
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Taillon (2-4) took the loss Friday as the Cubs fell 4-2 to the Astros, giving up four runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.
Only one of the hits off Taillon went for extra bases, but it was a solo shot by Christian Vazquez in the third inning. It was the MLB-leading 17th homer served up by the veteran righty, and Friday's outing was the first time Taillon has failed to last at least five innings since his first start of the season March 31. He's lost three straight starts, and Taillon will carry a 5.20 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB through 55.1 innings into his next trip to the mound, which is set to come on the road next week in Pittsburgh.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Yields five homers Saturday
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Taillon (2-3) took the loss against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing eight runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two across five innings.
Taillon put the Cubs in an early hole after giving up a three-run homer to Miguel Vargas in the first inning. It was the first of five home runs that the right-hander gave up Saturday, which was one shy of the club record held by Matt Swarmer on June 11, 2022, per Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com. It was the second time this season that Taillon gave up at least six earned runs in a start, and he now has a 4.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 42:17 K:BB across 50.2 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next weekend at home against the Astros.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Tough-luck loss Sunday
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Taillon (2-2) took the loss Sunday against the Rangers, allowing one run on four hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out four.
Taillon hardly deserved the loss in a positive showing Sunday, keeping the ball in the yard for the first time since his first start of the season. The 34-year-old right-hander continued to provide the Cubs with length as well, pitching at least five innings in his seventh consecutive outing. Taillon has a quality 3.94 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 40:16 K:BB over 45.2 frames, and he should remain worth streaming in most fantasy formats with a matchup against the White Sox on tap for next weekend.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Allows two runs in no-decision
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Taillon didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 5.2 innings.
Both runs allowed by Taillon came on a pair of solo homers by lefties JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe, and Taillon has now surrendered 11 home runs across 40.1 innings this season. Only Zack Littell (13) has allowed more long balls. Taillon threw 100 pitches against Cincinnati but generated just eight whiffs. On the season, he owns a 4.24 ERA and 36:14 K:BB over seven starts. A flyball pitcher, Taillon is also giving up plenty of hard contact, while his 6.02 FIP suggests he's been lucky. Taillon's 91.7 mph fastball velocity is a career-low mark.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Tosses seven innings in win
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Taillon (2-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Padres, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six over seven innings.
Taillon looked dominant early, retiring the first 14 batters he faced before running into trouble in the fifth inning. The right-hander surrendered a solo homer to Miguel Andujar and a two-run shot to Nick Castellanos in the inning, continuing a troubling trend with the long ball. Taillon has now allowed at least one homer in five straight starts, including multiple homers in three of those outings. Still, he settled in after the fifth and finished strong with two scoreless innings to secure the win. Taillon now owns a 4.41 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB across 34.2 innings and is slated to face Cincinnati next, a lineup that has struggled offensively this season.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Sharp in first win of year
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Taillon (1-1) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over six innings in a 4-2 victory over the Mets. He struck out four.
The veteran right-hander delivered his second quality start of the season on 100 pitches (61 strikes), and the only blemish on his line was a Mark Vientos solo shot in the second inning. Taillon has given the Cubs six innings in three straight trips to the mound, and he'll take a 3.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB through 22.2 innings into his next outing, which is set to come on the road next weekend against the Dodgers.
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Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Homers costly in loss
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Taillon (0-1) was saddled with the loss Monday against the Rays, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out four in six innings of work.
Taillon had trouble keeping the ball in the yard Monday, making two costly mistakes that accounted for all three of the earned runs he surrendered. The 34-year-old had a solid outing otherwise as he worked through six innings and kept the Cubs in the game. His season-long ERA now sits at 2.53 through two starts with his next scheduled start set for Sunday against the Pirates.
