Cubs have rotation decisions to make this week
ST. LOUIS – Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon’s stat line from his second rehab start looked much better than the first.
He allowed just one run and three hits in 4 1/3innings with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, after saying earlier this week that he wanted to switch from rehab mode back into compete mode for the outing. He built up to 78 pitches.
“He definitely felt like he made progress, and he was happy with everything,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Felt a little better about it. So, all good.”
Could his next start be back with the major-league squad?
“I think we're gonna wait till after [Sunday] to figure out plans for the week,” Counsell said.
Taillon has been on the injured list with a strained right calf for almost six weeks.
The Cubs had originally planned for right hander Michael Soroka, who they acquired from the Nationals at the trade deadline, to occupy a spot in the rotation at least until Taillon and right-hander Javier Assad (strained left oblique) were ready to return from the IL.
Soroka, however, left his Cubs debut with a strained shoulder. Off days last Thursday and this coming Monday gave the Cubs the option to go with a four-man rotation for a turn. But if they commit to that plan, they’ll still have a hole to fill by at least late next week.
Depending on bullpen usage in the coming days, they could go with a bullpen day or start Ben Brown, who replaced Soroka after two innings last week and held the Reds to one run in four frames.
The team has been clear in its desire to avoid rushing Taillon back. But if they determine that he’s ready, he could slot in mid-to-late next week on regular or extra rest.
“When I’m back, like, we're in a pennant race, we have the playoffs coming up, all that, and I'm pretty aware of all that,” Taillon said Monday, while acknowledging that he was advocating to return as soon as possible. “So I need to come back ready to help, not just to come back.”
Amaya on track
Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya is still on track to join the Cubs in Toronto next week, Counsell said Saturday, as long as everything goes well in his rehab game Sunday goes well.
Amaya, who has been sidelined for over two months by a strained left oblique, had an .819 OPS before the injury.
Counsell didn’t rule out carrying three catchers when Amaya returns. Backup catcher Reese McGuire has hit six home runs en route to a .717 OPS, helping to minimize the effects of Amaya’s absence.
If the Cubs do cut ties with McGuire, that performance is likely to interest other teams with catching needs.
Silver linings
Though the Cubs as a whole have been in an offensive rut, a couple hitters have been on under-the-radar surges.
Over second baseman Nico Hoerner’s last 17 games entering Saturday, he’d compiled a .343 batting average. In left fielder Ian Happ’s last 12 games, he’d posted a 1.004 OPS, with three home runs, pulling out of a July slump.