Jameson Taillon elected to have TJ surgery on his elbow, and it took a while to decide. The ligament wasn't structurally damaged, but as Neal Huntington told the Root Sports crew, it was "compromised," GM-talk for a train wreck waiting to eventually happen. So after going over the options with his family, agents and the club, Taillon decided it was better for his career to get it done now rather than wait for it to shred.
It's probably a good decision on his part, but it does take Plan A for the Bucs' future rotation off the boards as recovery is expected to take 12-18 months. Kyle McPherson had the same surgery in July, and has been throwing since February, so there's hope that the layoff will be shorter rather than longer. But you can bet the Bucs will be conservative with his arm, as he's at least a staff's #2 arm.
The Pirates have a lot invested in him. Taillon was the second overall pick in the 2010 draft, and they gave him a $6.5M signing bonus, which was then a franchise record.
His injury leads us to the future of Bucco pitching, of which he was considered an integral part. This year, Jeff Locke is still recovering from an oblique injury, but Brandon Cumpton has looked good in camp and at Indy while Stolmy Pimentel is a starter in waiting. Jeanmar Gomez could fill in as a four-five guy, too, if stretched out. That's about where Phil Irwin ranks, too, as he returns from ulnar surgery. They should have the depth to weather a storm this season, especially if McPherson becomes available late in the year.
What of 2015? We can't expect Taillon to be ready to open the season, and only two Pirate pitchers, Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton, have contracts beyond 2014. That's a good start, but leaves a lot of holes. Stolmy should be in the rotation and likely Locke. The Bucs will bring in another vet for Ray Searage to tinker with, and Cumpton/McPherson will be knocking on the door. Nick Kingham is at Altoona and could be starting at Indy sometime this year, so he's got a shot, though probably later in the year.
The Pirates pride themselves on the home-grown products, and have focused their drafts on promising arms. The pipeline is finally flowing, and 2015 may be the year that proves that pride is justified.
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