Jameson Taillon’s return to the mound took an unfortunate turn Friday night when the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander exited after just two innings against the Kansas City Royals.
The 34-year-old threw 29 pitches before experiencing right elbow discomfort, putting his status in question just three weeks after he returned from a separate forearm issue.
Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling reported the update from the Blue Jays clubhouse, with manager John Schneider saying Taillon would undergo an MRI and could return to the injured list.
Taillon, however, offered some encouraging context after the game. According to Zwelling, the veteran told Schneider the discomfort felt more like a localized nerve issue than a problem involving his ligament.
That distinction is particularly significant given Taillon’s injury history. The right-hander has undergone Tommy John surgery twice during his professional career, making any elbow discomfort an immediate concern.
Taillon was making his return after missing time with right forearm tendinitis and allowed a solo home run before leaving Friday’s game.
In three starts since joining Toronto, Taillon has posted a 3.60 ERA with eight strikeouts over 10 innings.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The MRI results will ultimately determine the next step, but Taillon’s initial assessment could provide some optimism as the Blue Jays await further clarity.
With Toronto sitting at 71-71 and out of the postseason picture, there is little reason for the club to rush Taillon back if the injury requires additional recovery time.
The priority now will be determining the source of the discomfort and making sure the veteran can enter the offseason with a clear path toward being healthy for 2027.
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