Cubs' Jameson Taillon to Get Tests on Back Injury; MLB Opening Day Status in Doubt

The Chicago Cubs might be without one of their starting pitchers at the start of the 2024 season.

Jameson Taillon left Saturday's spring training contest during pregame warmups because of a back injury, and ESPN's Jesse Rogers noted he will undergo tests to determine the severity of the setback.

"Came in today pretty much the same as he left yesterday," manager Craig Counsell said Sunday. "Probably not the improvement we were hoping for.

"There's a level of concern for Opening Day."

Saturday was going to be his first spring training start of the year prior to the setback, although the Cubs can at least take solace in the assumption it won't be a significant injury.

"I don't think it's a long-term absence for Jameson, so don't think it's one of those concerns," Counsell said. "We're in good shape. We have a bunch of guys stretched out and see how that plays out."

This surely isn't how Taillon wanted to start his 2024 campaign seeing how he is looking for a bounce-back effort.

Last year was his first with the Cubs, and he disappointed on the way to a 4.84 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 140 strikeouts in 154.1 innings. It was a far cry from the previous year with the New York Yankees when he posted a 3.91 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, which earned him the four-year contract he signed with Chicago.

The Cubs have enough pieces to survive an injury to the right-hander, as Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Kyle Hendricks and Jordan Wicks should anchor the rotation.

There are also replacement options for Taillon with Hayden Wesneski, Javier Assad and Drew Smyly who can help the team tread water until the projected starter is set to return.

The Cubs have realistic National League Central hopes this season if they can stay relatively healthy. An early injury to a middle-of-the-road starter doesn't change that, but they will surely hope to get him back in the early going.