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Cubs Given Major Update on Shota Imanaga's Potential Return

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 12:35 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs have played excellent baseball to start the year, and when factoring in the injuries they’ve faced on the mound, it makes things even more impressive.

Sitting in first place in an improved National League Central at 37-22, 8-2 over their last 10 games, and four games ahead of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs have to feel great about what they've done.

And things should only look better when Shota Imanaga returns.

The left-handed starter hasn't thrown a pitch since May 4, dealing with a tough injury to his hamstring. According to a report from Andy Martinez, however, skipper Craig Counsell stated that Imanaga flew to Arizona and will begin facing live hitters sometime this week.

“Shota Imanaga flew to Arizona and is expected to face live hitters this week,” Martinez wrote.

Before going down with the hamstring injury, Imanaga was throwing the baseball at an excellent level once again after making his debut in America during the 2024 campaign. The 31-year-old had a 2.82 ERA and struck out 34 hitters in 44.2 innings.

His strikeout numbers were down, which is typically never ideal, but Imanaga was still getting outs at a high level, and that's what matters for now.

The Cubs' rotation needs to get plenty of credit for what they've been able to do throughout the past month and a half. With Imanaga, Justin Steele out for the year, and other nagging injuries, multiple guys have had to step up.

They've done so, but the more the Cubs start to rely on players, the tougher it could get.

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

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