Taillon (back) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Tennessee on Sunday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Taillon didn't pitch at all during spring training due a strained back, but he was able to face hitters near the end of camp and has now been cleared to test his back in a game environment. It's unclear exactly how many starts the Cubs want Taillon to make before he returns to Chicago, but it will likely take him multiple outings to build up to a starter's workload.

The Cubs placed Taillon (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Taillon resumed facing hitters earlier this week, but after failing to pitch in the Cactus League while he recovered from a back strain, he'll need some time to build up before he's ready to make his 2024 debut. He's tentatively scheduled to face hitters again Friday before potentially heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment or pitching in simulated games at extended spring training in Arizona.

Taillon (back) will throw one inning of live batting practice Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

He'll then face hitters again Friday and, if that goes well, will make an appearance in a minor-league game after that. Taillon is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-April with his back injury, and a clearer timetable for his return won't be available until he makes some rehab appearances.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced Friday that Taillon (back) will begin the season on the injured list and won't be ready to return until at least mid-April, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander only recently resumed mound work after recovering from the back tightness that scratched him from a spring start March 9, so it's not a shock he won't be ready to begin the regular season. Taillon is throwing a bullpen session Friday and will need some time to build up to a starter's workload, so a mid-April return is likely a best-case scenario.

Taillon (back) threw a 10-pitch, touch-and-feel bullpen session Wednesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Taillon is finally ready to ease back into mound work after a lower-back issue cropped up nearly two weeks ago. The right-hander has not made any official game appearances this spring and it seems unlikely that he'll be ready for one before the Cactus League schedule runs out. He will begin the season on the injured list, with a potential timetable available later on as he continues to ramp back up.

Taillon said Sunday his back has responded well to rest and treatment, and he plans to throw off a mound Tuesday or Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander's back didn't initially respond well after he was scratched from his start March 9 due to back tightness, but his status has apparently improved significantly over the past few days. Taillon has yet to see game action this spring as he focused on his mechanics early in camp, so even if completely healthy he may not be fully ramped up for the start of the regular season.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Sunday that Taillon's availability for Opening Day is in jeopardy with the right-hander having shown little improvement in his recovery from a lower back injury since being scratched ahead of Saturday's scheduled Cactus League start against the Rockies, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Counsell noted that the Cubs aren't yet concerned about Taillon potentially facing a long-term absence, the 32-year-old will be sent in for further testing as the organization looks to get a clearer picture of the injury. Taillon has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game this spring, but he hadn't been shut down from activity prior to being scratched Saturday, as he had been building up in simulated games. However, if Taillon isn't able to quickly move past the back issue within the next week, a stint on the injured list to begin the season would become an increasingly likely outcome. If Taillon is on the shelf at the start of the season, the Cubs could open up a rotation spot for one of Javier Assad, Drew Smyly or Hayden Wesneski.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Taillon was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Rockies due to lower-back tightness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Taillon's back tightened up on him during pregame warmups, and Counsell said the Cubs should have an update on Taillon's status and return timeline Sunday. Taillon has yet to appear in a game this spring and is coming off a 4.84 ERA season -- the highest mark of his seven-year career.

Taillon will no longer start the Cubs' Cactus League game against Colorado on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The reason for Taillon's late scratch is unclear, but the 32-year-old righty will have to wait a bit longer to make his spring debut nonetheless. Thomas Pannone will start against the Rockies in Taillon's place.

Taillon hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game yet this spring, as he's working on repeating his mechanics to keep from striding and landing open, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

He had a good second half with the Cubs last year (3.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP), so it's a little concerning that he showed up to camp with mechanical issues. Taillon was scheduled to throw a simulated game Monday, so he is at least healthy enough to throw at full strength, even though he has also dealt with calf tightness this spring. If all went well Monday, the plan is for Taillon to get into a Cactus League game this weekend.