Jameson Taillon posts first throwing clip since undergoing ankle surgery

Gerrit Cole leading the way. Perhaps a No. 2 starter coming to the Bronx via free agency or a trade. Jordan Montgomery as the rock solid No. 3. Luis Severino potentially returning to form with a ceiling as a No. 2 and a floor as a back-end starter. And a healthy Jameson Taillon rounding things out (with Nestor Cortes Jr. getting his due, too)!

Sounds like a good 2022 starting rotation for the New York Yankees, right? We’re getting a bit closer, folks.

On Friday, Taillon, who has been on the mend this offseason because of ankle surgery that was required at the end of October, brought us news of his situation improving despite the fact he cannot be in contact with team doctors (thanks Rob Manfred!).

The right-hander posted a video to Twitter throwing into a net and letting Yankees fans know he’s partaking in some “pain-free tossing.”

The five-month recovery timetable should have Taillon ready to go by the end of March/beginning of April, but we’d probably bet it’s more like mid-to-end of April given his injury history. Plus, it’s already been said he likely won’t be ready for Opening Day.

Nonetheless, we’ll take any positive updates we can get, and Jamo getting back into the swing of things sooner than later is a bit of lockout news you certainly want to hear.

Jameson Taillon shared his journey back to the mound with Yankees fans.

Not the best of throws (probably would’ve been a Joe Kelly situation if he was throwing in his backyard), but Taillon’s putting weight on that ankle and getting back on track with his new and improved mechanics.

He had a roller coaster 2021 season with the Yankees, starting off terribly as he returned from his second Tommy John surgery and a battle with testicular cancer before winning AL Pitcher of the Month in July. Remarkable turnaround. Throw in a few end-of-season gutsy starts on that bum ankle, and it was a solid debut campaign in New York.

This is also a contract year coming up for Taillon, which you could say is beneficial for the Yankees. He’ll be fighting to earn the first significant payday of his career, giving reason for his best possible work to date surfacing.

General manager Brian Cashman, who acquired Taillon last offseason, likely did so in preparation for the former Pirate’s 2022 season since he only pitched 37.1 innings since the start of 2019 heading into 2021. Assuming Taillon’s ankle holds up and the rehab continues to progress, Cashman might see his plan through.

Jameson Taillon’s joke reveals devastating MLB lockout fact for Yankees

If New York Yankees starter Jameson Taillon can't rehab effectively...then...the MLB lockout will have devastating effects, even if games aren't lost.