Right-hander Jameson Taillon is scheduled start against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, five weeks after surgery for testicular cancer. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list May 6, two days before surgery, and waited only a week before doctors cleared him to pick up a baseball and play catch.
Taillon, 25, had a 3.31 ERA in six starts before surgery. He made three rehab starts.
"It's been an interesting process for everybody _ not something we saw coming into my 2017 season," Taillon said. "I'm excited to pitch. My family knows. My family definitely knows. But outside of that, I haven't made too big of a deal about it. After this right here, I really want to be a pitcher again. Just want to be a guy on the team making starts and doing my job."
To make room for Taillon, the Pirates removed right-hander Tyler Glasnow from the rotation and optioned him to Class AAA Indianapolis. Right-hander Chad Kuhl was in line to start Monday but will instead be bumped back to Wednesday, starting in Glasnow's spot.
