The Chicago Cubs are facing significant challenges this season, particularly in their pitching lineup, with the recent injury to Jameson Taillon being the latest setback. Taillon was performing well earlier in the season but has struggled recently, allowing 15 earned runs over his last three outings, leading to concerns about his performance.
Manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Taillon will be sidelined for “a pretty significant amount of time” due to a right calf strain. This leaves the Cubs scrambling, as Taillon joins fellow pitchers Justin Steele and Javier Assad on the injured list. Taillon has a record of 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across 17 starts this season, highlighting the critical need for the team to adapt quickly.
In light of these developments, the Cubs are rumored to aggressively pursue starting pitching options as the trade deadline approaches. However, they may already have a viable solution within their roster. Long-reliever Chris Flexen has emerged as a strong candidate to fill the void left by Taillon. Flexen, who had previously demonstrated his capabilities with the Seattle Mariners, has shown impressive form with the Cubs, recording a 5-0 record and an astounding 0.62 ERA and 0.83 WHIP over 16 appearances this season.
Given Flexen’s recent success and ability to generate soft contact, it makes sense for the Cubs to consider stretching him out into a starting role rather than relying solely on bullpen games. His performance in a recent bullpen outing, where he pitched 3.2 innings and allowed only one run, further supports this strategy.
As the Cubs navigate this challenging phase, there remains a glimmer of hope. The team’s adaptability and potential internal solutions like Flexen could bolster their pitching staff and keep their playoff aspirations alive as they look to make a strong push in the second half of the season.