One of the reasons why the New York Yankees need at least a couple additional starters is because there is some uncertainty surrounding a few of their arms. Luis Severino hasn’t handled a full workload since 2018, Nestor Cortes Jr. needs to prove his 2021 wasn’t a fluke, and Jameson Taillon underwent ankle surgery in October.
However, the Yankees received some good news on Taillon, specifically, as they wait for the lockout to be over to prepare for a crucial 2022 season in which they are expected to make a deep playoff run.
Taillon told Justin Shackil that his ankle is in a really good place right now and that he hasn’t experienced any issues whatsoever with it during the offseason.
“I don’t feel the ankle at all… Super happy with where I’m at.” – Jameson Taillon.
Thanks to @JTaillon50 for joining us this week! https://t.co/MyPcquhTBu
— Justin Shackil (@JustinShackil) January 11, 2022
The Yankees’ right-hander, who came to the team before the season in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, had to pitch through a partially-torn tendon in his right ankle and ended up having surgery in late October, most precisely on the 28th.
The Yankees expect him to be ready by the spring
Per the report, the hurler has already started his offseason throwing program and everything seems to be going according to the Yankees’ plan. At the moment of having the surgery, there was some fear that he would need to start the season on the injured list as he finished his ramping up process, but at this stage, he is looking likely to be ready to rejoin the rotation this spring.
Taillon is throwing multiple times per week.
During his first season in pinstripes, Taillon went 8-6 with a 4.30 ERA in 144.1 innings. He struck out 140 hitters and had a 1.21 WHIP. He showed, during a seven-start stretch between July 6 and August 9, how dominant he can be, with a 1.25 ERA in 43.1 frames.
He will be arbitration-eligible for one last time in 2022, and then is expected to hit the free agent market.