Cubs Pitcher in Jeopardy of Missing Opening Day

It has not been a great Spring Training for the Chicago Cubs so far.

They are dealing with injuries to multiple players, many of whom are expected to be starters or are battling it out to be a potential starter.

Ian Happ's hamstring injury is the most worrisome, followed by a hamstring injury to third baseman Nick Madrigal.

Now, the Cubs could be missing a starting pitcher for Opening Day.

Jameson Taillon was scratched from his scheduled Spring Training start over the weekend with back tightness, and the update given on March 10 was not one of improvement.

Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports that manager Craig Counsell told reporters that Taillon's "back is basically feeling the same as yesterday" and that "Opening Day is in jeopardy."

Chicago is going to run more tests since this wasn't the news they were hoping for, but they also don't think the right-hander will be forced to miss an extended period of time.

Taillon signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Cubs last offseason in hopes that he would be a great No. 3 in their rotation.

That's not been the case so far.

The 32-year-old posted the highest ERA of his career with a 4.84 across 30 appearances and 29 starts last season.

For the amount of money that the Cubs handed Taillon, they need him to be available and performing at a much higher level.

He's shown that capability, posting an ERA of 3.67 across 82 starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates during his four years there. That was followed by a 4.08 ERA over 61 starts in two seasons with the New York Yankees.

What the test results reveal will play a major factor in how the right-hander's season will begin.

If there is nothing structurally wrong, then he should be able to work his way back in time for Opening Day.