Imanaga (8-6) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks across seven innings. He struck out five.
Imanaga was sharp Thursday, holding Milwaukee to just two runs on a Brice Turang homer in the second inning. However, the Cubs failed to generate enough run support to back the left-hander in an eventual 4-1 defeat. Imanaga has turned in four straight quality starts, allowing just seven runs across 27 innings in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.03 with a 0.94 WHIP and 90:21 K:BB across 19 starts (110 innings) this season.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Quality start not enough Sunday
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Imanaga (8-5) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out nine without walking a batter over 6.2 innings, taking the loss versus the Cardinals on Sunday.
While Imanaga was stingy with baserunners, the Cardinals took advantage of their limited chances. Pedro Pages tagged Imanaga for a two-run home run in the third inning and Nolan Gorman added the decisive hit, an RBI single, in the seventh. Imanaga has a pair of quality starts to begin August, allowing four runs over 13 innings with 16 strikeouts and no walks so far this month. He's at a 3.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 79:17 K:BB through 96 innings over 17 starts this season. The southpaw's next start is projected to be at home versus the Pirates.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Gets back on track vs. Reds
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Imanaga didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.
After giving up 10 runs over his prior two starts, Imanaga rediscovered his top form Tuesday. It was the fourth time in his last six outings that the star left-hander pitched at least six innings while yielding two runs or fewer, and the seven strikeouts were only one short of the season high that he set his last time out in Milwaukee. Imanaga sports a 3.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 70:17 K:BB across 89.1 frames, and he's set to face a tough test next week in Toronto against the first-place Blue Jays.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Strikes out eight in win
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Imanaga (8-4) earned the win against the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over five innings.
Imanaga was tagged for two homers by William Contreras but was otherwise sharp, throwing 65 of 89 pitches for strikes with 13 whiffs. It was a solid bounce-back after he gave up seven runs to the White Sox on Friday, though Imanaga will finish July having allowed nine homers over six starts. The southpaw carries a 3.25 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 63:17 K:BB across 83 innings into a home matchup with the Reds early next week.
Imanaga (7-3) earned the win Saturday, allowing five hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings against the Red Sox. He struck out five.
Imanaga carved up the Red Sox lineup Saturday, notching his fifth scoreless start of the season. The left-hander was stellar in his first MLB season in 2024, logging a 2.91 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 173.1 innings across 29 regular-season starts, and he's been even better so far in his sophomore campaign. Through 13 starts in 2025, he owns a 2.40 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 75 innings. Virtually the only thing that's slowed Imanaga down has been a strained left hamstring that sidelined him for much of May and June.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Earns win in return
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Imanaga (4-2) earned the win against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three over five scoreless innings.
Imanaga didn't show much rust in his return from the injured list, throwing 49 of 77 pitches for strikes while giving up just two hard-hit balls. Through nine starts this season, the southpaw has allowed two earned runs or fewer seven times while surrendering five in his other two outings. He'll carry a 2.54 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 37:15 K:BB across 49.2 innings into a home matchup with the Guardians next week.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Rejoining rotation Thursday
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Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Imanaga (hamstring) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday in St. Louis, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Counsell had already revealed that Imanaga's next start would come in the big leagues, and now the skipper has revealed the exact day. The southpaw has been shelved since early May with a strained left hamstring. Imanaga threw 72 pitches and went 4.1 innings in his final rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, so he will have a somewhat restricted workload against the Cardinals.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Will need two more rehab starts
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Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday in an interview on 670 The Score that Imanaga (hamstring) will need "a couple more" rehab starts before returning from the 15-day injured list.
Imanaga kicked off his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Monday, tossing two scoreless innings. He will make at least two more rehab starts as he continues to get stretched out before returning to the majors later this month if all goes well. Imanaga has been sidelined since early May with a strained left hamstring.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Rehab start on tap
Rotowire
Imanaga (hamstring) completed a 37-pitch bullpen session Saturday and is expected to make a rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The left-hander has been on the shelf just over a month due to a strained left hamstring, but he's now entered the final stage of his rehab program. Imanaga built up to 39 pitches in his last live batting practice session, so he may need an additional rehab outing after Tuesday before rejoining the Cubs.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Throws live batting practice
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Imanaga (hamstring) threw a 39-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Imanaga faced hitters for the first time since going on the 15-day injured list in early May due to a strained left hamstring. Whether Imanaga will require a rehab assignment is not yet clear, but he still has some stamina to rebuild before being considered for a return to the Cubs rotation.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Throws off mound again
Rotowire
Imanaga (hamstring) completed a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Imanaga has now thrown a pair of side sessions since landing on the injured list May 5, as the Cubs have been working him back slowly from a left hamstring strain. Assuming he's dealing with nothing more than normal soreness following Saturday's session, Imanaga is expected to shift his rehab program to the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona during the upcoming week. Imanaga will need to face hitters in live batting practice before the Cubs determine whether to send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment or have him build up his pitch count through simulated games before bringing him back from the IL.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Targeting Tuesday for mound work
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Imanaga (hamstring) is slated to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell had previously intimated that Imanaga wouldn't be ready for mound work until late next week, but it appears that timetable has been moved up a few days. The left-hander still has many boxes to check before he can rejoin the Cubs' rotation, and that's not expected until well into June.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Aiming for June return
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Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Imanaga (hamstring) isn't on track to return from the 15-day injured list until "well into June," Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
A firm target date for Imanaga's reinstatement won't be available until he's further along in his recovery from a left hamstring strain, but with Counsell noting that the southpaw isn't on track to resume throwing off a mound until around the end of next week, it's clear that his return isn't imminent. Cade Horton has made one start and one bulk-relief appearance since Imanaga landed on the shelf May 5 and should maintain a spot in the rotation until the Cubs' ace is back in action.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Goes on IL with hamstring strain
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The Cubs placed Imanaga (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Imanaga will hit the shelf after straining his left hamstring in his start during Sunday's loss to the Brewers. Though he underwent an MRI on Monday that confirmed the injury, the severity of the hamstring strain isn't known, making it uncertain whether Imanaga will have a chance at being ready to return from the IL when first eligible May 20. The Cubs haven't named an immediate replacement in the rotation for Imanaga, but Chris Flexen could be moved from the bullpen into a starting role, or prospect Cade Horton could be called up from Triple-A Iowa to fill the void.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Leaves start early Sunday
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Imanaga was removed from his start Sunday against the Brewers midway through the sixth inning due to an apparent leg injury, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He struck out four batters and was charged with two earned runs on four hits and one walk over 5.2 innings before departing.
The Cubs haven't provided an official word on Imanaga's injury, but the lefty was moving around with a noticeable limp after covering first base as the defense unsuccessfully tried to turn a double play. Reliever Julian Merryweather came on in relief and allowed both of his inherited baserunners to score to break a 0-0 tie, so Imanaga will likely be on the hook for a loss unless the Cubs offense can rally over the final three innings. Expect the team to provide an update on the nature and severity of Imanaga's injury after the game, leaving his availability for his next turn through the rotation next weekend versus the Mets up in the air for the moment.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Expected to be fine for next start
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Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Imanaga (leg) feels "good" and was slated to have a "normal" in-between starts workout Wednesday, 670TheScore.com reports.
Imanaga had to depart Tuesday's outing in Pittsburgh in the sixth inning due to leg cramps. He will focus on staying hydrated in between starts and the Cubs are hopeful it's just a one-time thing. Imanaga is slated to face the Brewers in Milwaukee on Sunday.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Exits with trainer
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Imanaga was removed from his start Tuesday against the Pirates due to leg cramps, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Imanaga appeared to wince after throwing a pitch to Andrew McCutchen in the sixth inning, which prompted a visit from the Cubs' training staff. He left the game after pitching five shutout innings, and his status for his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Sunday against Milwaukee -- is uncertain.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Fans seven in no-decision
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Imanaga came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Padres, giving up one unearned run on four hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
After escaping jams in the third and fourth innings, Imanaga's luck ran out in the fifth when both Kyle Tucker and Gage Workman dropped pop flies in foul territory, giving Manny Machado a third life which he used to launch a solo homer. It was the only blemish on the southpaw's line, as he tossed 64 of 93 pitches for strikes before exiting. Imanaga will take a 2.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB through 28.1 innings over five starts into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Dodgers.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Takes first loss
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Imanaga (2-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.
It was a tough day for Imanaga, who allowed a solo home run to Corey Seager in the first inning before he was tagged for a four-spot in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run Jonah Heim homer. Imanaga had been rolling to start the year, allowing just two runs through his first 18.1 innings coming into the day while posting a 0.71 WHIP. The left-hander's ERA now sits at 2.70 following his first loss. Imanaga will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week in San Diego.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Dazzles in win
Rotowire
Imanaga (2-0) earned the win against the Padres on Friday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 7.1 innings.
Imanaga gave up a solo homer in the third inning but mostly baffled the Padres, delivering their first loss of the season. He pounded the zone, firing strikes on 68 of 91 pitches while generating 13 whiffs. The 31-year-old has been fantastic so far in 2025, posting a 0.98 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB across 18.1 innings. He'll aim to keep the momentum going against the Rangers next week.
