A Setback for the Cubs: Shota Imanaga Hits the IL with Hamstring Strain
Left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga is added to the injured list by the Cubs.
In a tough blow for the NL Central leaders, the Chicago Cubs have added another name to their ailing rotation with the placement of Shota Imanaga on the 15-day injured list. The Japanese left-hander, who has been a reliable aspect of the Cubs' starting lineup since penning a $53 million deal in 2024, is now dealing with a left hamstring strain.
Imanaga sustained the injury during a play at first base in the sixth inning of Sunday's 4-0 loss against Milwaukee, a game that exposed the Cubs' rotational woes once again. The injury left the 31-year-old writhing in discomfort as he made his way to the bag.
An MRI and consultation with team physician Dr. Stephen Gryzlo Monday evening revealed a mild hamstring strain. Cubs manager Craig Counsell remains optimistic about a swift recovery, assuring media that the team is likely looking at a recovery period extending beyond the initial 15-day IL stint. Counsell stressed that the team is prioritizing Imanaga's full recovery and return to top form.
The Cubs' bullpen has been called into action, with Gavin Hollowell recalled from Triple-A Iowa to fill the vacancy left by Imanaga. Hollowell, a 27-year-old right-hander, impressed against San Francisco, delivering two scoreless innings.
The Cubs' rotational woes aren't contained to Imanaga's absence; left-hander Justin Steele is out for the season due to an elbow injury, while right-hander Javier Assad has been sidelined with an oblique issue. Imanaga's previous start was cut short due to leg cramps at Pittsburgh, but he posted a respectable 3-2 record with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts.
Recovering from a hamstring strain can be unpredictable, and each injury can vary in severity. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer cautioned against using teammate Justin Steele's five-week recovery from a similar injury as a direct comparison. Hoyer noted that Imanaga's novel injury experience makes it challenging to gauge his recovery timeline.
The Cubs aren't without options, however. They can call upon top prospect Cade Horton, a 2-1 right-hander with a miniscule 1.24 ERA in six starts for Iowa, or veteran right-hander Chris Flexen, who boasts 110 career major league starts. Imanaga's vacant slot in the rotation is scheduled to be filled against the Mets on Saturday.
Craig Counsell is weighing his choices, deeming that the team has some flexibility due to their extended break schedule. Each week features an off-day on Thursday, providing the team with an opportunity to manage their rotation accordingly. These injures remind us that depth is crucial, and the Cubs will need to step up in Imanaga's absence.
In light of Shota Imanaga's hamstring strain, the Cubs are considering calling up top prospect Cade Horton or veteran Chris Flexen to fill the vacancy in the rotation, promised for the Mets game on Saturday. The Cubs' President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer, acknowledged that Imanaga's injury experience makes it challenging to gauge his recovery timeline, hinting at the unpredictable nature of hamstring strains. Unfortunately, the Cubs are also dealing with the season-ending injury of left-hander Justin Steele and the oblique issue of right-hander Javier Assad, underscoring the importance of depth in sports, especially baseball's Major League Baseball (MLB). Hopefully, Imanaga can recover quickly and return to his effective form as a reliable Japanese left-hander in the Cubs' starting lineup.
