Well, this is a bit of a surprise.
After Sunday’s game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell had said the team would “discuss” what to do with Jameson Taillon’s next scheduled start, which would have come up Friday against the Yankees at Wrigley Field.
Taillon won’t make that start — nor any others for the Cubs, as the team announced Monday by press release that he had been designated for assignment.
To replace Taillon on the active roster, the Cubs selected the contract of right-hander Andrew Wantz from Triple-A Iowa.
Wantz is clearly on the roster just to be an extra bullpen arm for a few days. He is 2-1 with a 4.32 ERA (12 ER/25.0 IP) in seven appearances, including three starts, with the I-Cubs this season. Prior to being signed as a minor league free agent by the Cubs on June 6, Wantz was with the Tampa Bay organization. He made one relief appearance this season for the Rays and went 2-0 with a 7.04 ERA (18 ER/23.0 IP) in 18 appearances, one start, with Triple-A Durham. Wantz also made 91 appearances (four starts) for the Angels from 2021-24, posting a 3.88 ERA and 1.158 WHIP.
When Wantz makes his first appearance for the Cubs, he will become the 34th man to pitch for them this year (not counting Carson Kelly).
It is entirely possible the Cubs might wind up trading Taillon somewhere if they eat the rest of his contract. A team like the Angels or Giants, for example, might want someone to eat up innings. In that case the Cubs might get some sort of A-ball lottery ticket in return.
I wish Jameson Taillon well. He pitched reasonably well for the team in 2024 and 2025. It just didn’t work out well this year.
I’d think Javier Assad will start against the Yankees Friday, unless a starter is acquired by trade before then. As always, we await developments.
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