The Chicago Cubs’ starting rotation is about to get a massive boost.
Left-handed ace Shota Imanaga dealt in his rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday and could be returning to the rotation next week versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
Imanaga put on a show in his 4.1 scoreless innings, striking out eight batters on 72 pitches and generating 10 whiffs, per Zoe Grossman of Marquee Sports Network.
Imanaga, 31, was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 4 after straining his left hamstring in the sixth inning of Chicago’s 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Imanaga dealt in his two Arizona Complex League starts, striking out eight batters over six scoreless innings.
Manager Craig Counsell said the team will evaluate his start and go from there. Prior to his injury, Imanaga was picking up where he left off last season.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Last year, Imanaga was 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP in 29 starts. This season, Imanaga is 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in eight starts.
Marquee Sports Network player development analyst Lance Brozdowski anticipates Imanaga will return to face the Cardinals next week.
“He would line up to probably pitch one of those games in St. Louis, which would be a really nice return,” Brozdowski said.
The Cubs have really missed Imanaga’s presence. What used to be a top 5 rotation in ERA with Imanaga dropped to middle of the pack without him.
Chicago is currently 45-30, four-and-a-half games ahead of the Cardinals for first place in the National League Central.
More MLB: Reds could be surprise aggressors at trade deadline after hot stretch