Jameson Taillon gives Cubs a shot in the arm with a strong 2024 debut

CHICAGO (670 The Score) — Veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon delivered just what the Cubs needed in his 2024 debut.

With the Cubs coming off a nine-game road trip and their pitching staff needing a break, Taillon threw five strong innings of one-run ball in the team’s 8-3 win over the Marlins on Friday at Wrigley Field.

Taillon threw 79 pitches in his return from back spasms, which forced him to open the season on the injured list.

“I thought the last rehab outing I had was trending in the right direction for me,” Taillon said. “But this was a big league game, so it's different. You never know how it will be until you get there. I felt good, and the team gave me great defense behind me. They gave me great run support early, so I was able to fill up the strike zone and go from there."

Taillon had worked through a gradual build-up in spring training and with a pair of rehab starts before making his season debut Friday. The Cubs have had their pitching depth tested early this season with the absence of Taillon and ace Justin Steele, who suffered a hamstring injury in the season opener in Texas on March 28.

Manager Craig Counsell and the Cubs have been creative filling the pitching voids, including runs in the rotation for right-handers Javier Assad and Ben Brown.

Taillon's return brings stability for the Cubs early this season. He threw 17 first-pitch strikes against the Marlins.

“Jameson was very smooth for us today,” Counsell said. "He pitched in the strike zone and got a lot of quick outs. He really did as much as we could have expected and all that we hoped for. The key to success is throwing strikes. I thought he was locked in today and made a ton of good pitches.

"I think five innings was the most we could have hoped for. Getting him up and down five times was ideal.”

The Cubs backed Taillon with seven runs in the first three innings, allowing him to settle right in. Shortstop Dansby Swanson had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI to lead the Cubs’ offense. The defense with Gold Glove infielders in Nico Hoerner and Swanson also offered support for Taillon.

“He was like a true pro as he always is," Swanson said. "He was able to command the strike zone with multiple pitches. He was able to keep their hitters off balance and keep our defense engaged. You could tell he was in control of what he wanted to do. He has a lot of ability, and it's good to see him get off to a good start."

Taillon has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his starts at Wrigley Field dating back to July 23 of last season. His strong return came ahead of a doubleheader Saturday, a day in which Counsell and the Cubs will have to lean on the entire pitching staff. Assad will start the first game of the twinbill, and left-hander Shota Imanaga will start for the nightcap.

Taillon admitted that the first start of the season was nerve-racking despite his vast experience as a major league pitcher. But he certainly settled in from there.

"Big-time (nerves) going into the game,” Taillon said. “I had a hard time eating anything. I was definitely nervous. I always get a little nervous. I think that is a healthy thing for me. I had not felt that way in a while."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine .