ST. LOUIS — A day after critiquing his challenging season, Jameson Taillon faced the reality of his performance with the Chicago Cubs. His 5.92 ERA over 15 starts, with 25 home runs allowed in 76 innings, wasn’t helping the Cubs in their pursuit of an October playoff spot. After a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he gave up seven runs, Taillon acknowledged his struggles. “The results speak for themselves,” Taillon admitted. “I know I can figure it out, but hurting the team isn’t good. I feel pressure to do better for myself, but I’m aware I’ve been a detriment for a while.”
Baseball remains a business, even for respected figures like Taillon. The Cubs chose to designate him for assignment before their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, calling up right-hander Andrew Wantz from Triple-A Iowa. Taillon, now 34, leaves the Cubs with a 4.21 ERA over 96 games (95 starts).
“We had to make a tough decision,” manager Craig Counsell explained. “With the season’s circumstances and Taillon’s issues, we doubted he’d regain form. Although it’s more than just baseball, his contributions to our clubhouse culture made it harder to decide. But we needed better results in that role.”
Taillon’s statistics highlight his difficulties, with a -1.1 fWAR and 6.74 fielding independent pitching (FIP) being the poorest among MLB pitchers this season (minimum 60 innings). His fastball and cutter proved ineffective, allowing batting averages of .329 and .298 respectively and making up 46.3% of his pitches. His career-low 56.1% first-pitch strike rate reflected his command issues, dropping 11.7 percentage points from the past year. The Cubs hoped Taillon’s recovery from a hamstring strain might improve his command and home run limitations, but issues persisted in the two starts following his return.
Counsell expressed confusion over Taillon’s persistent challenges. “I’m trying to understand why things went this direction. Unfortunately, the hitters’ performance told us otherwise,” Counsell remarked. With Javier Assad ready to step in, the Cubs have an immediate solution, and additional rotation support is expected before the trade deadline. Right-hander Edward Cabrera, recovering from a hamstring strain, begins a rehab assignment Friday and should return to the Cubs in mid-August.
Taillon’s departure resonated in the Cubs’ clubhouse. Counsell admired Taillon’s mentorship role, emphasizing his humble nature and willingness to guide others. Shortstop Dansby Swanson, who joined the Cubs the same offseason as Taillon, lamented losing a close friend and teammate. “Definitely one of my top teammates,” Swanson shared. “He always wanted to help everyone succeed, on and off the field.” Second baseman Nico Hoerner praised Taillon’s professionalism and positive influence.
Left-hander Matthew Boyd spoke with Taillon after the news. He acknowledged the challenge of roster changes near the trade deadline and appreciated Taillon’s consistent demeanor. “Coming to the field the same way daily shows strength and self-awareness,” Boyd noted. Ian Happ, the Cubs’ longest-tenured player, commented on the challenges of losing someone close with 10 years of big-league experience.
Taillon previously demonstrated his ability to adjust midseason, notably excelling late in 2025. His 1.85 ERA in the final seven regular-season starts and stellar playoff performances against the Padres and Brewers were pivotal. “Fewer moments this year indicated he’d turned a corner,” Counsell reflected. “Season timing affected our decision.” Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy expressed confidence in Taillon’s ongoing potential. Despite his Cubs chapter closing, Taillon’s big-league journey isn’t over. Sorting out delivery and execution issues remains vital for his future success. “Performance is the measure for all of us,” Boyd said. “It’s understandable, but not easier.”