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Cubs Announce Shota Imanaga News Before Phillies Series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris M. Licata | Last updated Jun 8, 2025 5:51 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs lost their first series in a month on Sunday after being shut out by the Detroit Tigers 4-0, dropping two out of three games to the team with MLB's best record.

Chicago will next take on the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game series starting Monday before returning home for a 10-game homestand. It appears they may soon have some pitching reinforcements on the way, most notably last season's 15-game winner Shota Imanaga.

The 31-year-old ace has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since his last start on May 4, but he successfully completed a 37-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, according to Marquee Sports Network's Taylor McGregor.

Clarity has also emerged around his next step in the recovery process.

Next up, Imanaga is set to make a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Tuesday, per McGregor, who also noted that relief pitcher Porter Hodge also threw a 30-pitch bullpen this weekend.

Before hitting the injured list, Imanaga went 3-2 across eight starts with a 2.82 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 34 strikeouts.

Despite his extended absence, the Cubs still hold the second-best record in the National League (40-25) and remain in first place in the NL Central as mid-June approaches.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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