Taillon throws first bullpen session since testicular cancer surgery

For the first time since being diagnosed with testicular cancer, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jameson Taillon pitched a 25-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday.

Taillon received the go-ahead from doctors and was able to proceed just two weeks after undergoing surgery. Although there is no timetable for his return, Taillon says the session was an incredibly pivotal step forward.

"It's a good day's work," Taillon said, according to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Post Gazette. "I'll sleep pretty good tonight."

Taillon underwent testicular cancer surgery on May 8 after informing members of the Pirates medical staff he was suffering from groin pain. He would later open up in a touching series of tweets that covered his personal thoughts on the diagnosis and surgery.

He's slated to throw again on Wednesday.

"Every little step of good news is a relief in its own way," Taillon said. "Being out here, being around the guys, that's the biggest relief. That's my comfort zone.

"I just want to return to normalcy," he added. "I know it's everyone's job to talk about it, but I want to get to a point where I'm not the center of attention, and I just make my headlines pitching."

Taillon was drafted 2nd overall by the Pirates in the 2010 draft after Bryce Harper and one pick before Manny Machado. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014, Taillon made his rookie debut last year, pitching to a 3.38 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 18 starts.

Before his cancer diagnosis, Taillon had a 3.31 ERA in six starts.