New York Yankees‘ starter Jameson Taillon, who had to leave his last start on Tuesday after re-aggravating an ankle injury suffered in early September, is still “very much in play†to pitch in some capacity during Sunday’s season finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Taillon, who is 29 years old, completed a successful bullpen session on Friday, right before the game against the Rays, at Yankee Stadium. According to Yankees’ skipper Aaron Boone, he “threw really well.â€
“He was sharp,†Boone said, according to NJ Advance Media. “He looks really good. He feels really good. Most importantly, his arm and everything is good. But the ankle is responding. There’s no favoring. He’s letting it rip. His mechanics are really sound. I would have to say the bullpen he just threw was very encouraging.â€
Will the Yankees use Taillon this weekend?
Taillon only pitched 2 1/3 innings on Tuesday before leaving the game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Is there a chance we see him on Sunday before the regular season expires? That would depend on many things ranging from the game flow to how he feels, but Boone seems open to the idea.
“I think that’s very much in play, yes,†Boone said.
The Yankees’ starter, who came via trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, originally hit the injured list on September 9, and was diagnosed with a partial tear of a tendon in his right ankle. He made one rehab start at Triple-A before Tuesday’s outing, when he had to leave because of discomfort in the area.
Sunday would be Taillon’s day to pitch, but it remains to be seen if the Yankees need him. If they can clinch both the Wild Card berth and the home-field advantage for the game, it’s likely that they will just hold him back until the risk of re-aggravation is significantly diminished. However, if the Bombers get to Sunday needing a win, he could be an option for Boone.