Pirates’ Taillon to make MLB debut Wednesday vs. Mets
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jamison Taillon meets with reporters between games of a doubleheader between the Pirates and the New York Mets in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. Taillon has been called up to make his first major league start, Wednesday against the Mets. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
A Pittsburgh Pirates' baseball cap features an American flag in honor of the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks during a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Top Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Jameson Taillon is scheduled to make his major league debut tonight, getting called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start against the New York Mets.
The 24-year-old right-hander was the second overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft, behind Bryce Harper and ahead of Manny Machado.
In 10 starts with Indianapolis this season, Taillon has gone 4-2 with a 2.04 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. He missed the last two seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a sports hernia.
The Pirates needed a spot starter following Tuesday’s doubleheader with the Mets, but manager Clint Hurdle said he was unsure if Taillon would stay with the team beyond Wednesday.
“Some of it is in his control and some of it isn’t,” Hurdle said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Lefty Francisco Liriano will have his turn in the rotation pushed back. He will pitch Sunday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 1-4 with a 7.43 ERA in his last five starts and 4-5 with a 5.25 ERA in 11 starts.