Jameson Taillon among first round of cuts

photo by Grant Jefferies

Pitcher Jameson Taillon, ranked baseball's 16th-best prospect by MLB.com and 19th by Baseball Prospectus, reassigned to minor league camp Monday morning.
The righty was one of six players cut by the Pirates, who now have 53 players in camp heading into today's home game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Taillon was battling a bit of a blister, said Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, adding the goal is for Taillon to get prepared for the 2014 season, which will probably include a bump to Pittsburgh.
"This the right move to help him get stretched out," Huntington said, "so he can be ready to help us this summer."
Taillon, 22, had a 3.38 ERA in two appearances this spring with the Pirates. He ended last season with the organization's Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis, going 1-3 with a 3.89 ERA in six starts.
Though Huntington said Taillon's change-up needs work, he commended the pitcher's command of his two- and four-seams fastballs as well as his ability to control the running game, and his maturity on and off the field.
"We're very excited," Huntington said.
Infielder Matt Hague and catcher Carlos Paulino were also assigned to minor league camp Monday, while pitcher Casey Sadler was optioned to Indianapolis, and shortstop Alen Hanson and pitcher Joely Rodriguez were optioned to Double-A Altoona.