Pirates SP Jameson Taillon to Miss 2020 After Tommy John Surgery

Jameson Taillon. Photo by D. Benjamin Miller.

The Pittsburgh Pirates were dealt some discouraging news on Wednesday after doctors determined that starting pitcher Jameson Taillon needed Tommy John Surgery during an elbow procedure.

Taillon went into the surgery after being out with a forearm injury since May. Doctors originally believed that he only had a flexor tendon issue, but after going into the elbow to perform the procedure, they found that ulnar collateral ligament reparation surgery was necessary.

Now, after undergoing this procedure, the team expects Taillon to miss the entirety of the 2020 season. This is Taillon’s second Tommy John surgery after also having the procedure done in April 2014 while toiling in the minors.

Once considered one of the top prospects in the game, Taillon has had several health issues that have caused him to miss a considerable amount of time. In addition to his two Tommy John surgeries, he also missed 2015 due to a sports hernia and part of 2017 due to testicular cancer.

While on the mound, Taillon has been effective, posting a 3.67 ERA in 82 career starts.

The Pirates will now just hope that the big righty will be able to return to the team’s rotation at the age of 29 in 2021.