WASHINGTON – Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon went through more than just a bullpen on Tuesday. He threw 45 pitches, some in the bullpen and some in simulated play on the field while also fielding bunts and covering first base, according to pitching coach Tommy Hottovy.
It was a promising step for Taillon, who has been on the 15-day injured list (strained left groin) for two weeks.
“Thought it was a really good workload,” Hottovy said before the Cubs’ 4-1 loss Tuesday to the Nationals. “We like where he is from a volume standpoint… . This was more just to test it for the intensity of what it would be like [in a game]. Stuff looked great. It was about what we would have expected in a game situation stuff-wise.”
Manager David Ross said this week that Taillon would not be in the mix to start Thursday, no matter how well his session went Tuesday. But the team also is optimistic that Taillon won’t need a rehab start before returning.
“We have to obviously see how he recovers the next day or so,” Hottovy said. “Because he was able to throw the whole time and he’s thrown multiple bullpens now, l we feel pretty confident with that.”
The Cubs will gauge how Taillon feels Tuesday. They’ll go over the data from the high-intensity bullpen/sim game, and they’ll look over the results of continued strength tests.
If all of that checks out, Hottovy said, “then I don’t really feel like there’s much more we need to see from a non-game perspective.”
Taillon nearing a return is good news for the Cubs as early as next homestand. But they still have a hole to fill Thursday. They widened their options Tuesday when they recalled catcher Miguel Amaya and designated left-hander Ryan Borucki for assignment, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster.
Ross reiterated Tuesday: “I have no idea who’s throwing for us Thursday.”
The Cubs knew going into the season that they’d lean on the rotation, and that’s played out this series. Drew Smyly’ seven-inning, one-run effort Monday helped snap a three game losing streak.
“We had a tough series in Miami,” he said after the Cubs’ 5-1 win Monday. “We were in all three of those games and came up just short, one-run games. So I really wanted to set the tone tonight and help us get back on track.”
Hayden Wesneski then held the Nationals to one run through six innings Tuesday. But the offense only scored on a solo home run from Patrick Wisdom, and Keegan Thompson gave up three runs in relief.