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Cubs Place Taillon on IL and Plan Bullpen Game as Prospect Wicks Returns

Chicago’s NL Central lead heightens pressure on the front office to address its depleted rotation before the July 31 trade deadline

Overview

  • The Cubs placed starter Jameson Taillon on the 15-day injured list retroactive to July 1 after he strained his right calf chasing a bullpen session.
  • Triple-A left-hander Jordan Wicks was summoned to Chicago and will pitch out of the bullpen while the club stages a bullpen game on Saturday versus the Cardinals.
  • Reliever Chris Flexen is being eyed for an extended role to bridge rotation gaps until injured starters return.
  • Chicago remains without season-ending casualty Justin Steele and with Javier Assad still roughly a month from rejoining the staff.
  • With the All-Star break imminent, GM Jed Hoyer must decide whether to pursue veteran starters at the July 31 deadline to protect the Cubs' divisional lead.