Jameson Taillon will make his long-awaited return to a major league mound Wednesday following the second Tommy John surgery of his career.
The Yankees are taking advantage of early off-days to keep Gerrit Cole on schedule, so Taillon didn’t start the first time through the rotation.
“It felt like one multi-year buildup,’’ Taillon said Tuesday of having not pitched since May 1, 2019. “What’s five more days to add to the wait?”
Taillon, who had the second elbow procedure in August 2019, said that since then, his body has felt healthy. But there were times between the injury and the surgery when Taillon said he was at his “lowest point,” and was unsure whether he’d get an opportunity to pitch in the majors again.
“I’m really grateful to have a second chance at this and really grateful my elbow feels good,’’ Taillon said before the Yankees’ 7-2 win over the Orioles on Tuesday night at the Stadium. “I wasn’t so sure a couple years ago I would ever be on this stage again.”
The 29-year-old has revamped his mechanics and has been inspired by the January trade that sent him from the moribund Pirates to the contending Yankees.
“I am ready to put the rehab in the past,’’ Taillon said. “I am ready to contribute to this team and compete and take the ball every fifth day.”