Chicago Cubs’ Jameson Taillon activated to start against Detroit Tigers; Phil Maton goes back on the IL

For a Chicago Cubs rotation that has been decimated by injuries over the last few weeks, the pitching staff’s slow journey to health took a step forward Monday with the return of right-hander Jameson Taillon. The Cubs activated Taillon from the injured list ahead of his start Monday against the Detroit Tigers. Taillon had been sidelined since June 8 with a left hamstring strain. They also added right-hander Aaron Civale to the roster before Monday’s series opener after acquiring him from the Athletics following the team designating him for assignment. Civale posted a 2.08 ERA in five games (13 innings) for the Cubs last season. In corresponding moves, left-hander Drew Pomeranz was designated for assignment and right-hander Phil Maton went on the 15-day IL with right knee tendinitis. Losing Maton, 33, again to the IL — for the third time this season with the same recurring ailment — is a blow for a bullpen group that, despite his struggles, could use a veteran reliever in the mix. Maton and the Cubs were optimistic that his previous IL stint and the added off days of the All-Star break would be the kind of three-week break his knee needed to hold up for the rest of the season without issues. However, Maton again experienced symptoms in his right knee during his one-inning appearance Sunday, prompting him to undergo an MRI. Counsell said “the news is not great” with the results of the imaging. Counsell did not want to speculate whether surgery could be a solution to his knee problem, instead wanting to first get other opinions on Maton’s knee. Maton told the Tribune last month he might need to surgically address his knee in the offseason. “We thought we were in a pretty good place,” Counsell said. “We’re going to get some more opinions and see what that means, but we’re looking at a little bit more of an extended absence here.” The reunion with Pomeranz didn’t last long or have the same level of success the lefty delivered during his 2025 performance with the Cubs. Pomeranz allowed five runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings (7.94 ERA) while walking four and striking out just one batter during his six appearances this season. The 37-year-old owned a 2.17 ERA in 57 games for the Cubs in 2025. “Drew and I have had some fun times together, and it didn’t work out this time, but certainly last year and a couple times before that, it really has, and I wish him the best,” Counsell said.