Taillon out after surgery
Has Tommy John operation 2nd time
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jameson Taillon has had another major setback.
The Pirates right- hander had flexor tendon repair surgery Tuesday, and during the procedure, it was determined he also needed Tommy John surgery. Dr. David Altchek performed both surgeries in New York.
Taillon is not projected to return to full competition until the 2021 season. Taillon, the No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft, also had Tommy John surgery in 2014.
Taillon, 27, made just seven starts this season, going 2- 3 with a 4.10 ERA. Last season he was 14- 10 with a 3.20 ERA. In 2017, Taillon missed five weeks of the season after surgery for testicular cancer but finished the year with an 8- 7 record and a 4.44 ERA.
Late last month, Taillon experienced a setback in his return from his right elbow flexor tendon strain. Throwing from 90 feet, he began to feel pain again, and his throwing program was halted.
Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk addressed reporters in Anaheim via conference call Wednesday. He shed light on why the team waited so long for the flexor tendon repair surgery since it revealed that Taillon needed the Tommy John procedure.
“You always want to avoid surgery,” Tomczyk said. “Numerous experts around the country
examined him. These are surgeons that have seen the most amount of forearm and elbow injuries. The surgeons all collaborated in their examinations and reviewed the images several times. The recommendations were to continue with conservative care.”
The visiting clubhouse was noticeably quiet at Angel Stadium Wednesday as some players processed the news on Taillon.
“We were hoping it wasn’t going to be as severe as him needing a second Tommy John,” Joe Musgrove said. “But I told him that I know he’s mentally and physically built to come back from this. Jamo has been through it before. He knows what it takes to come back from this.”
Musgrove and Taillon have formed a bond the past couple of years. Musgrove, like many members of the Pirates, will miss having Taillon around.
“He’s helped me grow a lot. He’s been one of my best friends since I got here,” Musgrove said. “We’ve lived together during spring training. We played catch together a lot. We threw our bullpens together. We learned a lot from each other.”
Jacob Stallings and Taillon played together in the minors and have developed a close friendship.
“It stinks,” Stallings said. “He was going in hoping that they wouldn’t have to do a TJ.”
Pitching coach Ray Searage has known and worked with Taillon for over 10 years. He had a somber tone when discussing the injury.
“He has such great character and heart. If anybody can come back from a second surgery, it’ll be Jamo,” he said “He never gives up. He’s always trying to better himself. This is another hurdle for him to jump over.”
It’s clear the fondness Searage has for Taillon goes beyond the playing field.
“I have feelings for him like a son,” he said. “Your heart cries from him because you know how much he’s already been through in his career. I’ll be praying for him day in and day out. He’s never off my mind.”
Not having Taillon is a bitter pill for the Pirates to swallow. But they can’t dwell on it. Searage realizes that. “We move on. The next guy has to step up. Somebody is going to [ have] an opportunity to see if they can help us get to where we want to go.”
With Taillon out and Jordan Lyles traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, Musgrove, Chris Archer and Trevor Williams are the three men left from the opening day rotation.
Mitch Keller had his best start as a big leaguer on Monday and will pitch again Sunday against the Chicago Cubs in Williamsport. Searage noticed a difference in Keller.
“He showed some poise under fire,” Searage said. “He seemed a lot calmer. There was no fear in his eyes. He knew he had to make pitches. The kid has a maturity beyond his years.”
Steven Brault will start on Saturday against the Cubs. Brault is upset for Taillon but also realizes he has an opportunity to stake his claim to a rotation spot.
“It sucks for us because we are losing our ace,” Brault said. “It sucks for him. It sucks that he has to miss a year. We have to pick up the slack. He’s leaving a big hole. He’s one of my best friends and he’s helped me through a lot of stuff. Nobody likes to miss time. Especially at the prime of your career.
“I’ve got an opportunity that I probably wouldn’t have gotten otherwise because of the injuries. You hate to get an opportunity that way, but you have to take advantage of what you have.”
Searage has noticed growth in Brault.
“I see maturity from Steven. He’s starting to learn and grow,” Searage said. “People don’t understand how long it can take for a pitcher to learn how to navigate through the league. It takes a while to learn how to prepare for the long season as a starter.”
Searage had a message for the starters.
“Just be you,” Searage said. “Don’t feel like you have to do more because Jameson isn’t there. Do your homework to face the hitters and be the competitor you are.
“This isn’t about filling his shoes. It’s about stepping and taking advantage of the opportunity you have now.”