Inside The Pinstripes

Jameson Taillon Abruptly Exits Game in Return From Injured List

New York Yankees starting pitcher Jameson Taillon was making a return from the injured list against the Toronto Blue Jays when he left the game with an injury

Max Goodman

Jameson Taillon's return from the injured list on Tuesday was poised to be a huge boost for the Yankees' pitching staff. New York need him to deliver as well, taking on the Toronto Blue Jays in a must-win game with postseason implications. 

Just 2.1 innings into the right-hander's first start in three weeks, however, Taillon was forced to exit the game.

After striking out catcher Danny Jansen with a perfectly placed fastball on the outside corner, Taillon walked around the mound gingerly. He then motioned to the dugout, summoning manager Aaron Boone and a member of the training staff. 

It didn't take long for that group to make the decision. Taillon slowly walked off the mound before descending into the clubhouse, a dejected look on his face. Right-hander Michael King was brought in from the bullpen to replace the injured starter. 

Taillon was placed on the injured list back on September 9 with a partial tear in a tendon in his ankle. The right-hander was expected to return Tuesday with no limitations, ready to pitch with close to a full workload.

The Yankees announced a few innings later that the right-hander did in fact leave the game with a reaggravation of his previous ankle injury.

With only five games remaining in the regular season after Tuesday night, a return to the injured list would effectively end Taillon's season. As much as New York has ace Gerrit Cole atop their rotation, flanked by reliable starters like Jordan Montgomery and Nestor Cortes Jr., losing Taillon for the postseason would still be a significant blow to the staff heading into October.

When the right-hander has been at his best this season—namely when he was recognized as the American League Pitcher of the Month in July—he's been dominant. Overall, Taillon entered play Tuesday with a 4.41 ERA and 8-6 record over 27 starts, striking out 136 batters in 138.2 innings. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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