Jameson Taillon exits Toronto Blue Jays debut with forearm discomfort

TORONTO: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jameson Taillon was forced to leave his first home start for the club after four scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox on Monday night because of right forearm discomfort.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Taillon mentioned tightness in his forearm after completing the fourth inning and was due to undergo an MRI scan.

"He said his forearm was a little tight, kind of getting some extension on cutters, sliders," Schneider said.

"For a guy with some injury history, hopefully we can be proactive, and I don't want to take any chances with him."

The new pitcher allowed just one hit and struck out three while walking three in Toronto's 2-1 victory. He threw 61 pitches, with 34 finding the strike zone, before speaking with Schneider and team trainers in the dugout.

The 34-year-old right-hander joined the Blue Jays from the Chicago Cubs in a trade on 2nd August, just three days before making his Toronto debut. He conceded three runs over four innings against the Houston Astros in that outing.

Simeon Woods Richardson replaced Taillon in the fifth inning and worked three innings to earn the win.

It is pertinent to mention that Toronto are already dealing with several pitching injuries, with Trey Yesavage, Spencer Arrighetti and Patrick Corbin all sidelined. Yesavage and Arrighetti are on the 15-day injured list, while Corbin is on the 60-day IL.

Arrighetti was acquired from Houston on 3rd August in the deal that sent centre fielder Daulton Varsho to the Astros.