CHICAGO — Left-hander Shota Imanaga will rejoin the Chicago Cubs early subsequent week in St. Louis following a pointy Triple-A rehab begin Friday, supervisor Craig Counsell mentioned Saturday.
Counsell wasn’t positive when Imanaga could be slotted into Chicago’s rotation however mentioned earlier than the Cubs’ sport towards the Seattle Mariners that the 31-year-old “goes to make his subsequent begin within the large leagues.”
Imanaga, who was 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA as a rookie final season, is getting back from a left hamstring pressure. He acquired damage protecting first base throughout the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss at Milwaukee on Might 4.
He’s 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight begins for the Cubs this season. His return is anticipated to offer a elevate to the Nationwide League Central leaders, who entered Saturday 4½ video games in entrance of the Brewers and Cardinals.
Imanaga tossed 4⅓ scoreless innings of two-hit ball for Triple-A Iowa at Nashville on Friday evening. He struck out eight and walked two.
“Every part went nice,” Counsell mentioned. “Did what we hoped he would do. He is able to be prepared. So he will be part of us in St. Louis and we’ll determine the subsequent steps.”
Earlier than the transition to Iowa, Imanaga pitched six scoreless innings over two rehab begins within the Arizona Advanced League. He had a bullpen session in Arizona final Tuesday.
Imanaga signed a four-year, $53 million contract with Chicago in January 2024. He usually dazzled in 29 begins final season, making the NL All-Star workforce and ending fourth in balloting for NL Rookie of the Yr.
Additionally Saturday, the Cubs recalled right-hander Nate Pearson from Iowa and designated left-hander Génesis Cabrera for task.
Pearson is 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 19 appearances since he was optioned to Iowa on April 15.
Cabrera had an 8.68 ERA in 9 video games with the Cubs. He signed with Chicago on Might 29 after being designated for task by the New York Mets.