Yankees: Latest Jameson Taillon update is big news for NYY’s rotation

Is it crazy to think that the New York Yankees‘ rotation could be their biggest strength as they push for the playoffs over the next two weeks?

We know what Gerrit Cole is going to deliver every five days. Nestor Cortes has been the epitome of consistent as the No. 2. Outside of a Sept. 10 start against the Mets, Jordan Montgomery hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start since mid-June. Even Corey Kluber threw six shutout innings on Friday.

While Kluber just recently returned from the injured list, Cole, Cortes and Montgomery have been nails in the top-end of the rotation.

In fact, their consistency has made fans (briefly) forget about Jameson Taillon, who landed on the IL on Sept 9. with a partial tear of a tendon in his right ankle.

The injury sounds painful, but Taillon is making a swift recovery and was in great spirits while speaking to Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network.

Jameson Taillon’s return would be a huge boost for the Yankees’ rotation.

No pain. Not holding anything back. And he got through PFPs (pitchers’ fielding practice) without any setbacks. It sure sounds like Taillon is nearing a return, though it’s currently unclear if the Yankees want to send him on a rehab assignment to get his throwing mechanics back up to speed.

However, Taillon, who’s scheduled to throw another bullpen on Saturday, believes a couple of bullpen sessions is all the rehab he needs. Following a side session on Wednesday, Taillon told reporters it “did nothing to make me think I can’t get back in a game soon after another bullpen.”

It’s awesome that Taillon is itching to rejoin the rotation, but the last thing we want is for him to rush back and endure a setback. After all, setbacks usually lead to surgeries, and that would bring back some dark memories for Taillon, who’s already undergone two Tommy John surgeries in his career.

“We’ll see where we’re at with games and get it re-imaged (after the season), Taillon added. “I’ve had enough surgeries. I hope this is one I can avoid.”

Taillon endured a rough start to his Yankees tenure, but he was a game-changer in the middle of the rotation from early July to late August. He was tagged for 11 earned runs over his final two starts in August, but bounced back nicely with a strong outing vs Toronto before he felt a sharp pain in his ankle the next day and hit the shelf.

If Taillon beats his expected timetable and rediscovers that midseason form, he would add serious depth to a Yankees rotation that is already firing on all cylinders.

If only we could say the same about the lineup and bullpen, which got embarrassed en route to an 11-3 loss vs Cleveland on Saturday.

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