CINCINNATI -- If Jameson Taillon had his way, he would pitch in 2020.

Looking at where he is in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, it's not that outlandish of a thought.

Taillon threw two innings against live hitters before Tuesday's game against the Reds, and he's scheduled to go three innings his next time out. 

From there, he is going to slowly be ramped down playing catch four times a week at first, then three, then just doing plyo ball exercises before taking a couple weeks off. 

"Instead of just abruptly stopping, we’re going to ease off of throwing, then build it back up," Taillon said Monday.

But before he does complete his 2020 work, Taillon is trying to convince the Pirates' medical staff to let him return to a major-league mound. 

Scheduling wise, it is not an outrageous proposition. Taillon would have enough time to pitch his three inning outing at full rest and have another rest period before the regular season ends on Sept. 27. If the Pirates so chose, he could make an outing.

But don't count on it. His rehab was always focused about returning in 2021 and having healthy years after. The risk of him returning for one day in 2020 is higher than the club would like.

"He’s lobbying. I’m not saying we’re entertaining it, but he’s lobbying very, very hard," director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday. "It’s not surprise with Jameson."

This is Taillon's second Tommy John surgery, and the return process usually takes 16-18 months, rather than the 12-14 a first procedure requires. He had the surgery last August, so he was outside the recovery window for 2020.

The plan is still for him to be at full strength for spring training 2021. 

"We’re just having active discussions on what's best for Jameson to put him in the best position to be ready to go for the 2021 season," Tomczyk said. "Jameson is strongly lobbying for game activity in the major leagues. That’s no surprise. I truly believe that is highly unlikely [to happen]."

Keone Kela is playing catch, but he has yet to throw off a mound yet. With where the club is in the season, that seems to be signaling the end of his 2020.

"The medical team is very encouraged by the overall prognosis on Keone and for his return to pitching in the near future, but unfortunately we’re running out of days in the calendar," Tomczyk said.

Yacksel Rios (right shoulder inflammation0 and Tyler Bashlor (lower back inflammation) are in the same boat that there probably aren't enough days on the calendar for them to return.

Kyle Crick's right lat injury is a reaggravation of the injury that sidelined him for most of the 2020 season.

"His arm just hasn't recovered to point [where he’s able] to go out there, put himself in a good position to help the team and succeed."

Anthony Alford met with doctors in Pittsburgh Wednesday afternoon. Things are moving "very well" after fracturing his right elbow and will transition to doing his rehab at home next week.

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