Cubs Get Great News on Shota Imanaga's Potential Return

Previously, there was speculation over Imanaga being ready for the Cardinals series, but this new report confirms that speculation in clear terms. Having a confirmed timeline for Imanaga to be back is huge, as the Cubs need more starting pitching, and Imanaga is their best one.

When the Cubs lost Justin Steele for the year and saw Javier Assad suffer a setback during his rehab, there was not a lot of optimism in the starting rotation. Once Imanaga went out, things were even worse.

But Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and others stepped up for the Cubs and put together solid outings to keep the Cubs in first place in the NL Central. They kept the ship afloat, and in front, and now the Cubs are getting their ace back with a little over a month to go until the MLB trade deadline.

Before being sidelined with a hamstring injury, Imanaga posted a 3-2 record with a 2.82 ERA and 34 strikeouts over eight starts. He was pitching like one of the best pitchers in baseball once again before the injury.

Now, for the first time since May 4th, the Cubs are getting their best pitcher back on the mound. His return is much-needed, as Ben Brown has struggled lately, and the Cubs are feeling the heat from the Milwaukee Brewers and Cardinals in a tightly contested NL Central division.