Chicago Cubs pitcher appears to be nearing a return to the big league rotation following his recent hamstring injury. According to Marquee Sports Network, he is scheduled to throw in the bullpen before making a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Friday, signaling the final stages of his recovery process.
He has been sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring issue. Despite the injury interruption, the Japanese left-hander has put together a solid season so far, posting a 3-2 record and showing flashes of brilliance during his debut MLB campaign.
Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy emphasized that while the team is eager to get Imanaga back, they’re being cautious.
“Obviously we need to evaluate where he’s at first,” Hottovy told MLB.com. “And then we’ll figure out the logistics of getting him back. But I do think it’s more important to do what’s best for him—make sure he looks good and is recovering and feeling good.”
The Cubs will monitor Imanaga’s performance and recovery closely after his upcoming rehab start. If all goes well, a return to Chicago’s rotation could come shortly after.
“We just need to really evaluate… in a higher-intent, bigger environment with a little tougher competition,” Hottovy said. “We’re not ruling out that he wouldn’t be ready after this next outing. But really, we just need to see how he’s recovering and how the stuff looks in a longer outing.”
The Cubs are in desperate need of rotation help, especially with Justin Steele out for the season and the rest of the staff dealing with inconsistencies. A healthy Imanaga returning soon would provide a huge boost to their playoff hopes.
The Cubs have high hopes for Shota Imanaga
The Chicago Cubs have managed to establish a strong lead in the NL Central this season, even while dealing with the extended absence of key starter Shota Imanaga. Their resilience and depth have kept them competitive, but the return of their prized left-hander could elevate them even further as they push toward October.
Imanaga, who signed with the Cubs ahead of the 2024 season after a stellar career in Japan, was living up to expectations before his hamstring injury. In eight starts, he posted a 2.82 ERA, allowing just 14 earned runs—a testament to both his control and command on the mound.
While the Cubs’ pitching staff has performed admirably in his absence—boasting a collective 3.59 ERA, currently ninth-best in MLB—Imanaga’s return could be a key difference-maker as the Cubs try to solidify their postseason position. With Justin Steele out for the year and rotation depth tested, Chicago is also rumored to be exploring additional pitching options ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
The Cubs face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, a matchup that could serve as another measuring stick for their pitching staff while they await Imanaga’s potential return following his Triple-A rehab start. If he returns healthy and effective, Chicago could have one of the most balanced rotations in the National League.