Imanaga (left hamstring) set to return to Cubs next week

CHICAGO -- Jameson Taillon was relaxing at home on Friday night when he decided to check in on Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga. The veteran pitcher logged into the team’s Ivy database and watched Imanaga’s latest rehab start with Triple-A Iowa.

“From watching his outing last night,” Taillon said, “he’s right.”

Prior to Saturday’s game against the Mariners, Cubs manager Craig Counsell agreed that Imanaga looked right enough to return to Chicago’s rotation for his next appearance. The current plan calls for the left-hander to rejoin the Major League team in St. Louis, where the Cubs take on the Cardinals in a four-game series, beginning Monday.

Counsell would not tip his hand yet as to when Imanaga would slot in to pitch -- only noting that the pitcher is “going to make his next start in the big leagues.” Given that Imanaga (on the 15-day injured list due to a left hamstring injury) started for Iowa on Friday night, he would line up for Wednesday or Thursday at the earliest.

“Everything went great. He did what we hoped he would do,” Counsell said. “He’s in a position to be ready, so he’s going to join us in St. Louis and we’ll figure out the next steps.”

The 31-year-old Imanaga logged 4 1/3 innings for the I-Cubs in Nashville on Friday, building up to 72 pitches in the process. Per Statcast data from the outing, the lefty generated 33 swings, including nine whiffs. Imanaga ended with eight strikeouts, two walks and two hits allowed without allowing a run.

Imanaga featured his typical pitch mix, while sitting around 88-91 mph with his fastball. Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said the pitcher felt great after the game, but will continue to be monitored as he recovers this week. One thing Hottovy enjoyed seeing was that Imanaga was using the game with Iowa to test aspects of his delivery.

“One thing with Shota,” Hottovy said, “he’s always balancing getting his work in, making sure he gets his velo and competing, but he’s also working on stuff and making sure his delivery is in sync. He’ll tinker with shapes and stuff at times to kind of see arm-path stuff, which makes me feel like he’s healthy. Because he wants to make sure his delivery is good and arm path feels good.”

Imanaga sustained his leg injury while running to cover first base in his May 4 start on the road against the Brewers. It was a big loss for the Cubs, given that Imanaga was enjoying a strong continuation of his brilliant rookie campaign in 2024. Through eight games this season, he spun a 2.82 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in 44 2/3 innings.

Imanaga went on the IL a day after the injury setback and has been able to keep throwing, while rehabbing the hamstring. The lefty made two Minor League rehab starts in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League (June 9 and June 14) before moving up to Triple-A.

“I think we’re going to get a really good version of Shota back,” Taillon said, “which is super exciting, because he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball.”