The Chicago Cubs are going to need to look for outside pitching help as their starting rotation received another troubling update on Sunday. Starting pitcher Shota Imanaga exited Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning due to a hamstring strain.
The Brewers defeated the Cubs 4-0.
The Chicago Cubs have a new worry
Following the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell appeared worried about Imanaga’s status. He took a deep sigh before saying tests would confirm how serious Imanaga’s injury was. (The non-contact injury occurred when Imanaga ran to cover first base.)
“He did it kind of on the run over to first base,” Counsell said of how Imanaga sustained the non-contact injury. “We’ll probably do some imaging to see what’s going on. He’s never had any lower-body muscle strains, so he’s a little unsure of what the feeling means.
“He felt something for sure. So, we’ll just get it checked out tomorrow and go from there.”
Shota Imanaga is expected to miss time
Per ESPN’s David Kaplan and Jesse Rodgers, Imanaga is expected to miss time due to the injury he suffered at American Family Field on Sunday.
“With Imanaga likely to miss time as @JesseRogersESPN is hearing, Cubs have options,” Kaplan posted on X. “Chris Flexen already on roster. Bullpen days can fill in w/5 off days between now + June 2. As for Cade Horton he’s thrown 199 inn. combined over last 4 seasons. Cubs will be very careful w/him.”
With Imanaga likely to miss time as @JesseRogersESPN is hearing, Cubs have options. Chris Flexen already on roster. Bullpen days can fill in w/5 off days between now + June 2. As for Cade Horton he’s thrown 199 inn. combined over last 4 seasons. Cubs will be very careful w/him.
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) May 4, 2025
Imanaga has a 3-2 record, 2.82 ERA, 34 strikeouts, 14 walks, and a 1.0 WAR through eight starts and 44.2 innings pitched. His injury complicates a roster that will be without Justin Steele for the remainder of the season due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.
Imanaga wasn’t the only Cubs player to suffer an injury on Sunday.
Right fielder Kyle Tucker received medical treatment postgame from an awkward slide he made while stealing a base in the ninth inning. But Tucker is expected to play for the Cubs against the San Francisco Giants on Monday at Wrigley Field.
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