Chicago Cubs Starter Expected To Make Season Debut vs. Miami Marlins

The Chicago Cubs are getting some reinforcements in their starting rotation as right-hander Jameson Tailllon is the probable pitcher for the team’s return to Wrigley Field.

The Chicago Cubs have listed right-handed starting pitcher Jameson Taillon as their probable starter for Thursday’s opener with the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field.

Taillon was listed as the probable at the Cubs’ MLB.com site, though the team had not formally made an announcement. Chicago won’t activate Taillon until Thursday as moving him from the 15-day injured list will require a roster move.

MLB.com reported that Taillon said he expects to be able to throw 90 pitches in his return.

Taillon joined the Cubs in Arizona for this week’s series with the Arizona Diamondbacks after he completed his second injury rehab start with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on Friday. Taillon threw a bullpen for the Chicago coaching staff on Monday at Chase Field as they discussed when to activate him.

With the Cubs without Justin Steele due to a Grade 1 hamstring and working with a struggling Kyle Hendricks, the time appears to be now to bring Taillon back to the rotation.

With the Iowa Cubs, he stretched out to 68 pitches. He allowed three hits and one walk in 3.2 innings and struck out four.

His first rehab start was with Double-A Tennessee as he pitched 2.2 innings and threw 52 pitches. Taillon allowed six hits, four runs (three earned) and one walk while he struck out four.

Chicago put Taillon on the 15-day injured list with a back strain. He suffered that injury while warming up for his spring training start on March 9. Last season he went 8-10 with a 4.84 ERA as a member of the Cubs rotation.

Right now, Taillon is Chicago's only listed probable starter for the series. This would indicate the Cubs are trying to determine how to set the rest of the rotation with a four-game series against Miami, followed by an off-day, before Chicago host the Houston Astros for a three-game series.

Bringing Taillon back now could afford part of the rotation an extra day of rest after a long road trip that saw the Cubs play nine games in three cities in 10 days.