The Cubs finally had a day in which they didn’t announce a trip to the injured list.
And instead of just no news being good news, there actually was some good news for an injury-ravaged pitching staff: Right-hander Jameson Taillon is nearing a return.
Taillon, who last pitched June 7, threw a successful session of live batting practice Tuesday, and the Cubs are aiming to have him make a minor-league rehab start this weekend, likely Sunday, manager Craig Counsell said.
If all goes well, Taillon might come off the IL during the Cubs’ final series before the All-Star break against the Reds in Cincinnati.
The Cubs are dealing with so many injuries — they have an entire rotation and late-inning mix of relievers on the IL simultaneously — they’re simply in need of bodies. But Taillon’s return would figure to provide a much bigger spark, solidifying a rotation spot.
‘‘That’s a big part of it,’’ Taillon said Tuesday of his desire to get back. ‘‘I told Craig the other day after I threw a good bullpen [session], I was like, ‘I’m probably about to start getting annoying.’ I was really trying not to be, and then with all the injuries and [how] we’re playing well, we’re swinging it well — I think we’re turning a corner — you just want to be a part of that, especially this time of the year.
‘‘It’s not early anymore; it’s time to go. I’m excited to help.’’
Taillon will need to deliver results on top of health. Before going down with a strained hamstring, he led the majors in home runs allowed and still is tied for third in that dubious category with teammate Shota Imanaga with 20. He also has a 5.19 ERA.
A silver lining to his layoff is that it has given him some time to iron out any issues.
‘‘I’m really excited about . . . some of the things we’re working on,’’ Taillon said last week in New York. ‘‘It’s a good time to address some things. When you have a little bit of a break from results, you actually get to work on some stuff.’’
Cade Horton is out for the season. Ben Brown and Justin Steele might be limited to relief appearances if they make it back. And Edward Cabrera is still awhile away from returning. But this is progress on the injury front for the rotation.
A week ago, left-hander Matthew Boyd was part of that injured group, as well. Now he’s back making starts. Taillon might be next. That’s a big deal, given the Cubs’ injury challenges.
Another Dansby double shot
Shortstop Dansby Swanson continued sizzling after his monster series last week against the Mets, homering twice in a 9-7 victory against the Padres that saw the teams combine for nine homers on a hot, windy night.
‘‘We said before the series [Monday] to the hitters, ‘This is going to be a crazy week at Wrigley,’ ’’ Counsell said.
In the Cubs’ last nine games, all but one of them victories, Swanson is 12-for-36 with five homers, two doubles, one triple, 18 RBI and eight runs scored.
Bregman’s blast
With fans wondering when third baseman Alex Bregman is going to turn on the power, he unleashed a big three-run homer, his seventh of the season.
‘‘He works so hard,’’ Swanson said. ‘‘I don’t think people even understand the depths that he goes into every day to make himself a better player. To see him get rewarded for that work that he’s putting in is pretty awesome as a teammate.
‘‘It’s our job to continue to push him to be himself and do what he does best. And he’s starting to show that.’’
