Cubs receive encouraging injury update on lefty ace

More than a third of the way through Major League Baseball's regular season, the Chicago Cubs remain one of the best teams in the National League. 

Despite leading the NL Central and having one of the most electric offenses in the sport, plenty of attention has been focused on the club's starting rotation — namely, suggestions from media, scouts and fans insisting the team needs to add another starting pitcher. 

There may be one coming back sooner than expected. 

Shota Imanaga has been sidelined since straining his hamstring on May 4 against the Milwaukee Brewers. According to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, Imanaga is progressing well with his rehabilitation and might be able to return to the Cubs rotation before the end of the month. 

The left-hander threw four shutout innings on Saturday with the club's Arizona Rookie League team. He has totaled six innings through his two rehab starts, striking out 8 with no walks and just four hits allowed. Per Bastian, the Cubs anticipate Imanage will make his next rehab start on Friday with their Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. 

Should all go well, Imanaga could return to the Cubs on June 25 or 26 in St. Louis. 

Imanaga impressed in a big way during his rookie season last year, posting a 15-3 record and 2.91 ERA (136 ERA+) over 173.1 IP in his first season with the Cubs after an 8-year career in Japan. Imanaga finished fourth in Rookie of the Year Award voting and fifth in Cy Young Award voting last year. 

Through eight starts this year before the injury, Imanaga was looking even more like the ace the Cubs staff needs. 

Speculation has swirled in recent weeks that the Cubs are actively pursuing adding starting pitching before the July trade deadline. The team has been linked to a handful of potential options, including, most recently, a pair of Marlins right-handers in Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. Getting their left-handed ace back in Imanaga may help lessen that need somewhat.