Why Cubs’ Caleb Kilian took the mound vs. Diamondbacks instead of Jameson Taillon
Taillon threw a simulated game on Monday.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Days after being optioned to Triple-A, Caleb Kilian took the mound for the Cubs against the Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon was lined up to pitch Monday. But he’d already faced the Diamondbacks once this spring and is likely to make his first regular season start in the four-game series in Arizona that opens the Cubs’ domestic schedule.
So, instead of giving the Diamondbacks another look at Taillon, the team had him throw a simulated game at the Cubs’ spring training complex Monday morning. And Kilian faced Arizona for 2 ⅓ innings. He gave up four hits and three runs.
