Taillon (forearm) struck out two and allowed four runs on three hits and two walks over 3.1 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.
Making his first rehab start since landing on the injured list Aug. 11 due to forearm tendinitis, the veteran right-hander was sharp through three innings before falling apart in the fourth. Taillon exited after 48 pitches (34 strikes), and though his velocity was down slightly from his slightly from his season-long average during the start, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com points out that diminished velocity isn't unusual for a rehabbing pitcher. The Blue Jays are in dire need of a fifth starter since Shane Bieber (shoulder) joined Trey Yesavage (knee) on the IL along with Taillon, but it's not yet clear if Taillon will make his next appearance with Buffalo or with the big club. Either way, he'll likely be limited to around 60 pitches.