Disaster Strikes for Cubs

Maybe this a meatball take, but it’s hard not to think about why the Cubs didn’t take more precaution with Shōta Imanaga and his hamstring cramps earlier this week because now it appears as though the starting pitcher is headed to the injured list.

Imanaga was throwing a gem on Sunday against the Brewers, but he left the game in the sixth inning with an apparent leg injury. Once again it looks like it’s his hamstring, but this time it may be more serious than cramps that Imanaga was suffering from in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Bad. Really bad. We’ll find out how serious the injury is within the next day or so. Right now though, it’s likely that the Cubs will be without their top two starting pitchers by the first week of May.

And the Cubs have indeed confirmed that Imanaga was removed because of a hamstring strain.

Even if it’s a mild strain we’re still looking at several weeks before Imanaga returns to the Cubs. Last year Justin Steele suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain on March 28, and he made his first start back from the injured list until May 6.

(Previous Update)

The Chicago Cubs are already without Justin Steele for the rest of the 2025 season and for a brief moment Tuesday night fans were holding their breath, anticipating the worst for Shōta Imanaga. The talented lefty was removed in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates after having a conversation with the team trainer.

It’s hard not to think the worst whenever you see a pitcher have to leave with medical staff and although nothing looked too worrying with Imanaga as he walked off the field, you just never really know.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell updated Imanaga’s status after Chicago’s 9-0 win in Pittsburgh. At least for now it appears as though the Cubs escaped a disaster because Imanaga simply had leg cramps.

Via Marquee Sports Network.

“Both legs in the quad area were cramping,” manager Craig Counsell told reporters after the game. “It was kind of easy – had to take him out. He feels fine now – no issues. So hopefully it was just that.”

“I don’t think there will be any issue for the next start,” Imanaga said. “I’ve had it in the past where I’ve had that feeling coming along and I kinda push past it and that affects me negatively. I feel like today, I was able to stop it a few steps before it would become a bigger issue.”

Hopefully Imanaga will be OK for his next start because the Cubs are already running a bit thin on their rotation depth after the recent setback for Javier Assad.

In the meantime, here’s some helpful advise for the Cubs left-hander.

Imanaga earned the win after pitching five shutout innings against the Pirates. Daniel Palencia came in relief in a tough spot after Imanaga was taken out following a leadoff double and did a great job getting out of a jam. Palencia walked the first batter he faced, but then retired the next three batters.

Caleb Thielbar pitched a scoreless seventh and lefty Tom Cosgrove made his Cubs debut, throwing two shutout innings to wrap up the blowout win against the Pirates.

Imanaga now has a 2.77 ERA in seven starts this season. It’s still bullshit that MLB screwed Imanaga last week after changing an error call that raised the pitcher’s ERA.