Shota Imanaga is scheduled to make his first minor-league rehab start for the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate, the Iowa Cubs, this Friday night. The left-handed pitcher has been sidelined since May 4 due to a hamstring strain, and this mark will represent an important step in his recovery.
Before the injury, Imanaga had made eight starts for the Cubs, showcasing strong performance throughout. Over 44 2/3 innings, the 31-year-old held a 2.82 ERA, a 1.097 WHIP, and posted a 3-2 record. His steadiness on the mound last season earned him impressive recognition, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting and fifth in the National League Cy Young Award race after joining from Japan.
Impact on Chicago’s Rotation Stability
Imanaga’s return arrives at a time when the Cubs’ starting rotation could benefit from added depth. While right-hander Jameson Taillon has maintained a solid 3.48 ERA with a 0.980 WHIP, and lefty Matthew Boyd has also contributed well with a 2.79 ERA and 1.165 WHIP, not all starters have been consistent. Ben Brown, at 25 years old, has struggled with a 5.57 ERA and nearly 1.50 WHIP across 13 starts, and veteran Colin Rea has provided limited value with a 0.1 bWAR in 11 outings.
Team Performance and Competitive Standing
Despite some rotation challenges, the Cubs have remained one of the strongest teams in Major League Baseball this season. Heading into Thursday’s games, Chicago led the National League Central by 6 ½ games over both the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. The team‘s run differential of plus-107 tops all MLB clubs, and with a 45-28 record, they trail only the Los Angeles Dodgers by a single game for the best win-loss tally in the National League.
Manager’s Perspective and Next Steps
Cubs manager Craig Counsell emphasized a cautious approach regarding Imanaga’s return, stating the team will reassess the left-hander’s readiness following Friday’s outing. Notably, Imanaga has already completed two solid rehab appearances at the team’s Arizona Complex League, pitching six scoreless innings in total before being cleared for this next step.
Imanaga’s comeback has the potential to strengthen a rotation that is crucial to Chicago’s ambitions for the remainder of the season, providing an experienced arm capable of stabilizing inconsistent performances and helping the team maintain its leading position in a competitive NL Central.