Chicago Cubs’ Jameson Taillon sidelined until after July’s All-Star break — and Matt Shaw is activated from IL
DENVER — Just as the Chicago Cubs are on the verge of getting a starting pitcher back, another one hits the injured list.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon landed on the 15-day IL before Tuesday’s series opener at Coors Field after imaging Monday showed a moderate left hamstring strain. Taillon is expected to be sidelined until after the mid-July All-Star break, manager Craig Counsell said. Right-hander Ethan Roberts was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Taillon’s roster spot.
Taillon, 34, was coming off one of his best starts, holding the Athletics to two runs in 6 1/3 innings, when he departed Sunday’s outing against the Giants in the second inning. Counsell said Taillon hadn’t experienced any issue with his hamstring before Sunday’s start.
“You don’t want to lose your guys,” Counsell said Tuesday. “It makes losing somebody else more daunting, obviously. So that’s just where we’re at, and guys are going to have some opportunities for the next month or so until we get to the All-Star break because of it.”
This marks the fifth time Taillon has sustained an injury that required time on the IL since signing with the Cubs prior to the 2023 season. Through 13 starts this year, Taillon has a career-high 5.19 ERA while allowing a league-high 20 home runs in 67 2/3 innings.
Left-hander Matthew Boyd (meniscectomy) said he felt good in his last rehab start and is slated to come off the IL to start this weekend in San Francisco.
Matt Shaw activated from IL, rejoins the Cubs
After back tightness kept him out of the Cubs’ lineup for the last three weeks, utilityman Matt Shaw rejoined the team Tuesday in Colorado.
The Cubs activated Shaw and optioned outfielder Kevin Alcántara to Triple-A Iowa. They also placed right-hander Trent Thornton on the paternity list and recalled right-hander Tyler Ferguson from Iowa. Shaw went 4-for-14 (.286) in four rehab games at Iowa, giving him a chance to get at-bats after limited playing time before his injury.
Even with a scuffling offense, Counsell anticipates Shaw going back into his prior role, which largely entailed starts and at-bats against lefties with late-game pinch running opportunities.
“Honestly, it was really, really nice,” Shaw said of his playing time during the rehab assignment. “Obviously, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten a few days in a row of consistent at-bats, and it was very enjoyable to just go and play the game that I love.
“Obviously ready to help in any way you can, you know. Whatever that kind of looks like, whenever that kind of manifests into whether, again, it could be some of those late-inning pinch running situations, and I look forward to those.”
Pete Crow-Armstrong earns recognition
For the first time in his career, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong earned the National League player of the week honor on Monday.
Crow-Armstrong hit .440 (11-for-25) with four home runs, six RBIs, one walk, four runs scored and two stolen bases with a .920 slugging percentage and a .481 on-base percentage in six games. During that stretch, he led the majors in slugging and total bases (23), tied for first in home runs, second in OPS (1.401), tied for fourth in hits and tied for fifth in batting average.
“Realistically, I would like to come through in some different spots, and I don’t really feel very good about the week that we’ve had,” Crow-Armstrong said. “So, yeah, the recognition is cool, but I’m just looking to put this behind me and start winning some ball games again.”
Counsell called Crow-Armstrong’s incredible week a well-deserved honor.
“You have to, to win that award, but it’s fun to watch,” Counsell said. “I mean, when he does it, it’s fun. And the best part about the week, there were some enormous hits in there.”
