Shota Imanaga Nears Return From Injury
The Chicago Cubs’ star pitcher, Shota Imanaga, has taken a significant step towards his return to the field after suffering a left hamstring strain.According to manager Craig Counsell, Imanaga threw a 28-pitch bullpen session, in addition to running and fielding practice.
The next step for Imanaga could be to move to the Cubs’ training facilities in Mesa, Arizona. This could happen when the team begins a nine-game road trip on Tuesday.“Overall, it was a very good day of work,” Counsell stated. “The idea is to repeat this this weekend, if everything goes well tomorrow, and then move forward from there.”
Craig Counsell
Imanaga, who was selected for the All-Star last season in his Major League debut, coming from Japan, had a 15-3 record with a 2.91 ERA in 29 starts. He signed a four-year, $53 million contract with Chicago in January 2024, and finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.
The 31-year-old pitcher began this season with a 3-2 record and a 2.82 ERA in eight starts before getting injured in Milwaukee.
