Imanaga Returns: Cubs Pitcher Bolsters Rotation in St. Louis

Shota Imanaga Returns to the Cubs After Successful Rehabilitation

Left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Chicago Cubs early next week in St. Louis, as announced by manager Craig Counsell following a strong performance in his Triple-A rehab start on Friday. Counsell did not specify when Imanaga will return to Chicago’s rotation, but assured before the Cubs’ game against the Seattle Mariners that the 31-year-old player “will make his next start in the Major Leagues”. Imanaga, who had a 15-3 record with an ERA of 2.91 as a rookie last season, is recovering from a left hamstring strain. He suffered the injury while covering first base during the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss in Milwaukee on May 4. In the eight starts he made this season with the Cubs, Imanaga has a 3-2 record with an ERA of 2.82. His return is expected to boost the National League Central leaders, who, before Saturday, were ahead of Milwaukee and St. Louis by 4.5 games. On Friday night, Imanaga pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Iowa in Nashville. He allowed two hits, struck out eight batters, and walked two.

“Everything went great,” Counsell said. “He did what we expected. He’s ready to return. He will join us in St. Louis and we will define the next steps.”

Craig Counsell, Cubs Manager

Before his stint in Iowa, Imanaga pitched six scoreless innings in two rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League. He had a bullpen session in Arizona last Tuesday. Imanaga signed a four-year, $53 million contract with Chicago in January 2024. In 29 starts last season, he dazzled, was selected to the National League All-Star Game, and finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Also, on Saturday, the Cubs called up right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson from Iowa and designated left-hander Génesis Cabrera for assignment. Pearson has a 3-1 record with an ERA of 2.22 in 19 appearances since being sent to Iowa on April 15th. Cabrera had an 8.68 ERA in nine games with the Cubs. He signed with Chicago on May 29 after being designated for assignment by the Mets.