Cubs $68 million pitcher could be DFA'd despite injury and rotation issues

The 2026 season so far for the Chicago Cubs has been a very strange one. They were a top contender at one point, but now they're barely hanging on to the postseason hunt amid some massive struggles.

Their biggest issue right now is clearly the starting rotation, with their current options both struggling, and also dealing with a litany of injuries. One pitcher, $68 million starter Jameson Taillon, is someone the Cubs might be running out of patience with.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report named Taillon as the pitcher the Cubs might be trending towards designating for assignment this season, and for good reason. Even though the team has a big rotation issue, Taillon has been a net negative for the Cubs.

Cubs might DFA Jameson Taillon despite injury and rotation concerns

"But Taillon, in particular, has been a glorified batting practice arm this season, allowing an MLB-worst 20 home runs en route to a career-worst 5.13 ERA - and a 6.33 FIP that suggests he's lucky things haven't gone even worse," Miller writes.

Taillon is in the final year of a four-year, $68 million contract. He's making too much money for the kind of production they've been getting out of him this season.

His 5.13 ERA is not good at all, and his MLB-leading 20 homers allowed is an alarming figure, as he's only eight more home runs away from a career-worst.

He left his most recent outing with a hamstring issue and is likely to land on the injured list. Taillon is leaving the Cubs rotation due to injury, but even if he wasn't hurt, the Cubs could've justifiably DFA'd him this season to shake things up.

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Even though their options wouldn't be great, parting with Taillon might've made the most sense for the Cubs this season. His spot in the rotation has been lost, but not due to being DFA'd, but rather an injury.

It's, unfortunately, a fitting way for Taillon to come out of the rotation, as the Cubs have been dealing with injury issues with the bulk of their pitching staff this season.

Chicago desperately needs to upgrade their pitching staff this season, and finding a long-term, quality replacement for Taillon is a good place to start.

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