Pittaburgh (93.7 The Fan) - Even if Major League Baseball were to end up playing games into late November and possibly December, Jameson Taillon won't be taking the mound for the Pirates. Taillon underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last August, and the possibility of the season extending into late fall prompted speculation that he might return to pitch in 2020. On Monday, Taillon put such thinking to rest.
"I've thought about it, but I get shut down every time I bring it up," Taillon said, adding a chuckle. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it, but they shut me down pretty quickly. I think the big thing isn't so much about the extension of the season. For me, I probably could be ready, but I think the big thing is that coming off this surgery and coming off (a second Tommy John) in particular, if the season gets pushed back into October, November, whatever it is, that would then give me a shortened off-season going into next year. Th thinking here long term is that we don't want to risk shortening my off-season and cutting into my off-season rehab."
Taillon's rehab has been impacted by the Pirates training site in Bradenton being closed to organized workouts, but it doesn't mean he isn't getting in valuable work.
"I'm having to definitely compromise my program a little bit," Taillon said on a conference call from Florida. "I"m extremely lucky with the Pirates. They realize the importance of my rehab, and they're making it a priority."
Taillon said he has his temperature taken when he enters the facility and is allowed to work out a few hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
"I'he Pirates are doing everything they can in their power to make this work," Taillon said. " My throwing's going well. I've been right on schedule there. The only place I'm taking a hit a little bit is my weight room time. I'm having to get in and out of there a little quicker than normal. As far as getting rehab and working with therapists and getting my proper throwing sessions in, I'm right where I need to be."