Cubs designated RHP Jameson Taillon for assignment.

It won’t send shockwaves through the baseball universe, but this decision qualifies as a major surprise since the Cubs have reportedly been aggressive in trade talks to add starting pitching depth leading up to next week’s trade deadline. Taillon’s ongoing struggles are a big reason why as he’s floundered to an inflated 5.92 ERA across 76 innings over 15 starts this season. The 34-year-old veteran was obliterated for seven runs over four innings by the Pirates over the weekend, which appears to have been the final straw for the Cubs. They’re going to be extremely aggressive on the trade front to bolster their rotation in the coming days.