Jameson Taillon threw a bullpen at Tropicana Field Thursday, and it went well.
The right-hander said he felt good afterward, working through the session with his forearm injury behind him for the day.
That's the update Toronto needed given where his recovery timeline stood.
Taillon has been dealing with a forearm issue that had him projected to be out until at least Aug 28.
Feeling good in a bullpen session is exactly the kind of checkpoint that keeps a return on schedule instead of pushing it back.
The next step is already lined up. He'll throw again either Sunday in New York or Monday back in Toronto.
That flexibility suggests the Blue Jays are managing his build-up around the schedule rather than forcing a fixed date.
Why his return matters for a stretched rotation
Toronto has already been piecing together starts with bulk relievers and unconventional arms during this stretch.
A healthy Taillon would give the rotation a real, established veteran presence heading into September.
The Blue Jays sit at 62-66, one game back of a wild-card spot, in a run where rotation stability could decide a lot.
Bullpen sessions are still early building blocks. There's no word yet on when Taillon might face live hitters or begin an actual rehab assignment.
But two clean sessions in a row is real progress for a pitcher working back from a forearm injury.
Whether Aug. 28 holds as his return date depends on how these next few steps go, starting with wherever he throws next.
The Blue Jays have dealt with injury problems as season long but it looks like things are finally getting back to normal.
Do you think Jameson Taillon makes his Aug. 28 target return date?
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