The Chicago Cubs are expecting to get major reinforcements back in their starting rotation next week. Shota Imanaga has been rehabbing the hamstring injury that has kept him off the rubber for a month and a half. Today he took the mound for the AAA Iowa Cubs in a rehab start, his first action since suffering the left hamstring strain against the Milwaukee Brewers. He went 4.2 innings, allowed zero runs on just two hits and two walks, struck out eight and threw 72 pitches. His performance on the mound was solid, but the most important result of this start is how he responds tomorrow and in the near future.
If the evaluation of his hamstring comes up positive, then he will likely rejoin the major league team for next week’s series against the Chicago Cubs’ arch-rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be the first time this season that the hated foes face off, and having Imanaga on the mound could be the morale boost the Cubs need to win the series. Imanaga’s return could also spell the end of the line for Ben Brown as a member of the starting rotation.
Shota Imanaga’s Return to the Chicago Cubs Coming Soon
The Chicago Cubs have been able to weather a slew of injuries to their starting rotation so far this season. Justin Steele is out for the year with an elbow injury, Javier Assad has yet to make his debut as he struggles to come back from an oblique injury, and Shota Imanaga has been out since May 4 with a left hamstring injury. Colin Rea and Cade Horton have stepped up for Craig Counsell to become solid contributors to the starting rotation, but getting some help for the rotation ahead of the upcoming slate for the Chicago Cubs is going to be crucial, and the team could have good news on that front coming very soon.
Friday night, Shota Imanaga took the mound for the first time since injuring his left hamstring trying to cover first base in a start against the Milwaukee Brewers. It was a rehab start at AAA Iowa, and Imanaga pitched very well. He didn’t allow a run in 4.2 innings and tossed 72 pitches. Up until tonight, Imanaga had been rehabbing in the Arizona Complex League. The medical staff thought he had proven enough to take the mound in an extended rehab start and he delivered. Now the hope is that when the southpaw is evaluated tomorrow and in the coming days, he will be cleared to rejoin the Chicago Cubs.
As Imanaga’s return timeline became clearer in recent weeks, the Chicago Cubs had next week’s series against the St. Louis Cardinals circled. If everything checks out after his start Friday night, Imanaga is on track to rejoin the starting rotation for the crucial series and buoy a pitching staff that has been one of the best in baseball so far in 2025. Imanaga’s return could mean the end of the Ben Brown experiment, likely resulting in Brown’s transition back to the bullpen, where he has had the majority of his success in the big leagues. Definitive updates on Imanaga are expected to come throughout the weekend as the Cubs battle the Mariners at home.
