Jameson Taillon may be the X-factor of the New York Yankees rotation. There is no questioning his talent and potential; however, his health is another story. That continues to be the case for the 2022 season as well, as he is not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery on a torn tendon in his ankle.
But there is some good news. Taillon posted a video on Twitter saying that he is pain free as he throws. Maybe his offering was not a strike, but it is still a positive development.
Pain free tossing! Lots and lots of work to get to this point, and even more work ahead to get to where we need to be!! Excited for every step of the journey pic.twitter.com/CHC24CWhNp
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon50) January 7, 2022
Positive news for New York Yankees pitcher Jameson Taillon
Taillon was a question mark for the Yankees last season as well. Although there was no denying his talent, he was coming off of his second Tommy John surgery. The track record of pitchers undergoing the procedure twice is not exactly a positive one.
As one could expect, Taillon was a bit of a rollercoaster last season. He posted solid overall numbers, with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.206 WHiP in his 144.1 innings, striking out 140 batters with 44 walks. Taillon was primarily victimized by the longball, as he allowed 24 homers in that stretch.
Yet, that performance may have been better than the Yankees could have anticipated. His 29 starts and 144.1 innings were both the second highest totals of his major league career, something that has to be taken into consideration. In that lens, the 2021 campaign was a success.
The Yankees will need Taillon to match that performance in 2022. He is currently expected to be their second or third starter, likely battling with Nestor Cortes for the spot after Gerrit Cole in the Yankees’ rotation. However, it all comes down to whether or not he can be healthy.
The New York Yankees have some positive news on the Jameson Taillon front. He is finally throwing without pain once again.