In the simmering disappointment of a tough loss, hope often feels distant. The Chicago Cubs are a first-place team, and yet they are playing through a season of significant adversity. Their pitching staff has been stretched thin by injuries, forcing them to piece together solutions. This delicate balance of winning while waiting for key players to heal is the team’s current reality. But now, in the grind of the season, a significant update has arrived. It provides a glimmer of hope for the stretch run.
That hope feels especially welcome after the club’s latest game. The Cubs, on June 10, participated in a 4-3, 11-inning loss to the slumping Philadelphia Phillies. It was a frustrating end to a winnable game, exposing the slim margins the team is dealing with. However, in the wake of that struggle, Cubs President Jed Hoyer provided some crucial positive news. Speaking on “The Show” podcast, he gave a promising update on ace Shota Imanaga.
“That’s the expectation… the hope is that he’s on the mend,” Hoyer said. “He’s about to start throwing in games this week… the hope would be, you know, by the end of the month without a setback.” This is the clear timeline Cubs fans have been waiting for.
Imanaga’s return is pivotal for the North Siders’ title dreams. The southpaw had been placed on the 15-day Injured List on May 5 with a mild left hamstring strain. He was a rock in the rotation prior to the injury. Imanaga posted a strong 3-2 record with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts. He struck out 34 batters in 44.2 innings pitched. His absence created a significant hole at the top of the rotation.
Cubs thrive despite rotational challenges
Thankfully, his road back to Wrigley Field looks incredibly promising. On June 7, Imanaga started his rehab with a 37-pitch bullpen outing. He later threw his rehab debut on June 9 with the Arizona Complex League. In two dominating innings, he allowed one hit and struck out four batters. This powerful performance indicates he is already in midseason form. He is likely to need one or two more minor league appearances before rejoining the team.
Imanaga’s loss is even more pronounced because of some other key pitching injuries. The team took its biggest hit with the loss of fellow left-handed star Justin Steele, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery in April. The injured list also features a number of important relief pitchers in Porter Hodge (hip impingement), Javier Assad (oblique strain), and Eli Morgan (elbow impingement). This long list of sidelined arms has severely tested the organization’s pitching depth
In their absence, a handful of arms have steadied the rotation with mixed results. Jameson Taillon (5-3, 3.76 ERA) and Matthew Boyd (5-3, 3.01 ERA) have offered veteran stability. Colin Rea owns a 3.96 ERA, while Ben Brown has struggled with a 5.72 ERA despite a high strikeout rate. Top prospect Cade Horton has impressed in his call-up. He has a 3-0 record and a 4.21 earned run average in his first five major league games.
Despite that recent loss and the revolving door on the rotation, the Cubs have prospered. Following Imanaga’s injury on May 5, the team has posted a respectable 18-12. Their record on the season now stands at 40-26, which is good enough to give them first place in the NL Central.
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