New York Yankees: Jameson Taillon close to returning to form

Jameson Taillon has been navigating relatively uncharted waters. The New York Yankees starter is attempting to come back from his second Tommy John surgery, yet is still expected to be a key part of their starting rotation. At least, that is the hope for New York as they attempted to rebuild their rotation while cutting costs.

His first four outings have been a mixed bag. Taillon had posted a 6.23 ERA, lasting five innings just once. However, the underlying metrics are far more positive, as he had a 4.17 FIP while striking out 21 batters and issuing only two walks over his 17 innings. There may be some inconsistency in that first month, but that was to be expected as he works his way back from injury.

Jameson Taillon getting close for New York Yankees

Saturday’s outing against the Tigers was a step in that direction. Taillon picked up the win, allowing just one run on a home run by Jeimer Candelario. In total, he allowed three hits and three walks over his five innings, striking out eight.

It is also clear that Taillon’s durability is not quite where it needs to be. He threw just 79 pitches in the outing, tiring in the fifth. He allowed two hits and two walks that inning, both walks coming with two out. The second out was fluky as well, as Niko Goodrum was hit by an infield single to cause the out.

Taillon had run into trouble in the final inning of his previous outing. After cruising through the first three innings against the Indians, he allowed three consecutive singles and a three run homer to open the fourth, turning a 3-0 lead into a 4-3 deficit. He was able to escape the inning without allowing another run, but the damage was already done.

That is the final step that Taillon needs to take. He is starting to look like the pitcher he had been during his impressive 2018 season with the Pirates, but he needs to start pitching deeper into games. His limit currently appears to be about 80 pitches, as he tires as he gets close to that number. For the Yankees, it is now just a matter of starting to increase that pitch count and build his endurance.

Jameson Taillon is starting to get close to being the pitcher the New York Yankees need him to be. It is just a matter of building his endurance.