The Chicago Cubs were riding high on a three-game win streak, sitting atop the NL Central with a 22-14 record, when Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field threw a wrench in their vibe. It wasn’t just the shutout that stung—ace pitcher Shota Imanaga, the heart of their rotation, tweaked his hamstring covering first base in the sixth inning and limped off the field, leaving Wrigley faithful holding their breath. But in true Cubs fashion, manager Craig Counsell delivered a dose of hope the next day, revealing that Imanaga’s MRI showed a mild hamstring strain with a cautious but promising outlook. With a probable two-week-plus timeline and a pitcher who’s been lights-out all season, Chicago’s got reason to stay optimistic. Let’s break down the injury, Imanaga’s impact, and why the Cubs are still in the driver’s seat as they chase a playoff run.
The moment it happened, you could feel the air suck out of Cubs Nation. Imanaga, who’d been carving up the Brewers with his pinpoint command, fielded a grounder from Jake Bauers in the sixth and sprinted to cover first. He beat Bauers to the bag for the out but pulled up grimacing, clutching his left leg. Trainers rushed out, and after a brief chat, Imanaga walked gingerly to the dugout, replaced by Daniel Palencia. He’d thrown 5⅔ innings, allowing four hits, two runs (both on a Willy Adames homer), and striking out four on 87 pitches. It was a gritty outing, but the sight of him exiting early sparked panic. Was this a season-killer for the Cubs’ best arm? Social media buzzed with dread, with one fan on X posting, “If Shota’s out for long, we’re cooked,” and another pleading, “Protect Imanaga at all costs!”
Counsell, always cool under pressure, put those fears to rest on Monday. In a Marquee Sports Network post on X, he shared the MRI results: a mild hamstring strain, with Imanaga presenting symptoms that scream “minor.” “We’re optimistic,” Counsell said. “It’s probable we’re going to be past two weeks here because we’re going to be cautious and make sure he’s back to 100%, but all in all, pretty good news.” That’s the kind of update that lets fans exhale. Hamstring strains can be tricky—mild ones often take 2-4 weeks, while severe cases can linger for months—but Imanaga’s youth (31) and clean injury history are in his favor. The Cubs, burned by past rushed returns (think Kyle Hendricks’ shoulder woes in 2022), are playing it smart, likely targeting a mid-to-late May comeback to ensure their ace is firing on all cylinders for the stretch run.
Imanaga’s importance to this team can’t be overstated. The Japanese lefty, signed to a four-year, $53 million deal last offseason, has been a revelation in his MLB debut. Through nine starts in 2025, he’s 5-2 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts in 53 innings, holding opponents to a .198 batting average. His 1.8 walks per nine innings rank among the league’s best, and his 91.7 mph fastball, paired with a splitter that’s got hitters flailing (36.4% whiff rate), makes him a nightmare. Sunday’s outing was typical Shota—four scoreless innings before Adames’ two-run shot, with just one walk and a 68.9% strike rate. He leads the Cubs in WAR (1.9) and ERA among starters, outpacing Justin Steele (3.12) and Jameson Taillon (3.88). FanGraphs gives him a 94% chance of making his next start by May 25, and his 0.7% chance of needing surgery is a massive relief.
The Cubs’ rotation depth will be tested without him. Steele, a 2023 All-Star, is back to form with a 2.91 ERA over his last five starts, and Taillon’s been reliable, tossing seven innings of one-run ball against Pittsburgh on April 29. Kyle Hendricks, despite a 4.65 ERA, eats innings, and rookie Ben Brown (2.45 ERA in three starts) is a wildcard. But none match Imanaga’s consistency. The bullpen, with Adbert Alzolay (1.80 ERA, 10 saves) and Porter Hodge (2.08 ERA), can handle late innings, but losing Imanaga for even a few starts puts pressure on a lineup that’s leaned on Cody Bellinger (.278, eight HRs) and Ian Happ (.295, 22 RBIs) to carry the load. Sunday’s shutout—four hits, 0-for-6 with RISP—showed what happens when the bats go quiet, and Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta (7⅔ scoreless) reminded everyone the NL Central is a dogfight.
Counsell’s cautious approach is a nod to the Cubs’ big-picture goal: a deep playoff run. At 22-14, they lead the Cardinals by 1½ games, with the Brewers (19-16) and Reds (18-17) lurking. Imanaga’s return before June keeps Chicago in pole position, especially with a favorable stretch against the Giants and Pirates upcoming. Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball ops, echoed Counsell’s optimism, telling ESPN, “Shota’s toughness and preparation give us confidence he’ll be back soon.” Fans on X are rallying, with one writing, “Mild strain? Shota’s gonna be back throwing darts in no time,” and another joking, “Hamstring’s just jealous of that splitter.” The Cubs’ history of managing pitcher injuries—Steele’s forearm strain in 2024, Marcus Stroman’s rib issue in 2023—shows they know how to navigate this.
For now, the Cubs are licking their wounds after a tough loss but feeling grateful it’s not worse. Imanaga’s mild diagnosis is a dodged bullet, and his work ethic—seen in his meticulous pregame routines—suggests he’ll attack rehab like he does hitters. The rotation will hold the fort, and the offense, with Seiya Suzuki heating up (.310 in his last 10 games), can pick up the slack.
