Jameson Taillon Exits Cubs Amid Struggles
Jameson Taillon faced scrutiny after another tough performance for the Chicago Cubs, allowing seven runs, including three home runs, in a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. His 5.92 ERA through 15 starts raised concerns, with 25 home runs given up over 76 innings.
Despite hopes for improvement, Taillon acknowledged his struggles, saying, “The results speak for themselves.” Acknowledging the pressure to perform better, he stated, “I feel pressure to do better, for myself especially, but I’ve been around long enough to know that I’m hurting the team.”
The Cubs made a difficult decision to remove Taillon from the rotation, designating him for assignment prior to their series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Andrew Wantz was called up from Triple-A Iowa as a replacement.
Taillon, 34, concluded his Cubs tenure with a 4.21 ERA over 96 games. Manager Craig Counsell expressed the difficulty in making this decision, citing Taillon’s impact on team culture. “Those are hard decisions, and it seems like everything is always just a baseball decision,” Counsell noted.
Taillon’s -1.1 fWAR and 6.74 FIP were the worst among pitchers with at least 60 innings. His four-seam fastball and cutter struggled, with opponents hitting .329 and .298 respectively. A declining first-pitch strike percentage added challenges for him.
The Cubs anticipated improvements during Taillon’s recovery from a hamstring strain, but he struggled after returning. Counsell mentioned a lack of clarity in solving Taillon’s struggles, stating, “I’m trying to figure out how to make this better.”
Javier Assad is expected to take over Taillon’s rotation spot, and the Cubs are seeking additional rotation help, with Edward Cabrera nearing a return from injury.
In the clubhouse, Taillon’s departure resonated deeply. Counsell praised him as an exemplary team player. Teammate Dansby Swanson called the day difficult, referring to Taillon as one of his closest friends in baseball.
Nico Hoerner highlighted Taillon’s influence beyond the field, acknowledging his mentorship and dedication. “Everyone sees the every fifth day, a guy on the mound… but you don’t get to see the group chats and plane rides,” Hoerner said.
Matthew Boyd, a fellow starter, emphasized Taillon’s consistency in demeanor, saying, “There’s something to be said about someone who shows up to the field the same way every single day.”
Ian Happ, the longest-tenured Cubs player, recognized the emotional weight of Taillon’s exit, citing their off-field bond. “These are the ones that are really challenging because of the friendship,” he said.
Taillon had previously demonstrated the ability to adjust mid-season, playing a key role in the Cubs’ success at the end of the 2025 season. Despite this year’s struggles, the team believes in his potential to rebound.
While Taillon’s time with the Cubs ended, reflections within the team highlighted his impact and the belief that his MLB journey can continue elsewhere.