Pittsburgh trainer Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Taillon, who has struggled in four post All-Star break starts, is not dealing with any health problems. "Absolutely not," Tomczyk told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "This guy's mental fortitude ... he sets the standard. I think you see a young pitcher just wanting to win. He's competing his butt off."
It's not unusual for a young pitcher to suffer from fatigue late in the season, but Tomczyk noted that Taillon's velocity has remained consistent despite his struggles. In the 25-year-old's start July 25 in San Francisco, replays showed Taillon pitching with what appeared to be a discolored and bruised middle finger on his right hand, but the team has made no mention of that ailment as a stumbling block.