Bear puts left-handed shota imaga on injured list after being injured

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs put Shota Imanaga on the 15-day injury list on Monday, a spin that the NL Central leaders have run out.

Imanaga, 31, nervous about her left hamstring when she covered up the first base in the sixth inning of Milwaukee's 4-0 loss on Sunday. The Japanese lefty has been one of the team's most reliable starters since signing a $53 million four-year contract with Chicago in January 2024.

Imanaga has done some imaging and plans to meet with team physician Stephen Gryzlo on Monday night.

“He felt good today………

Right-handed Gavin Hollowell was recalled by Triple A Iowa State before the opening of the three-game series against San Francisco. Hollowell, 27, made his two scoreless innings debut in April 22 in a game against the Cubs.

Imanaga's injury caused another hole in Chicago's rotation. Left-handed Justin Steele was out with an elbow injury and right-handed Javier Assad had a bevel problem.

Imanaga threw more than five innings in the last game in Pittsburgh before heading out due to leg cramps. He had a 3-2 ERA in eight games with 2.82 ERA.

“You've been building depth and you're always hurting,” said Jed Hoyer, president of baseball surgery. “You always hope this isn't one of your best players, the best pitcher, but that's what's happening. Hopefully we can figure out when we can get him back and make him healthy. But we just need to step up. No one will pause for us.”

Imanaga was injured while playing a potential doubles match against the brewer. He felt noticeably uncomfortable as he walked towards the bag. After the runner beat the throw, the pitcher grabbed the back of the left leg.

Imanaga said he had never suffered such injuries before.

“I think it's a challenge, and they usually get a better understanding of how it feels like when compared to people who have been hurt before,” Hoyer said. “He said he's never experienced something so new. But we have to figure it out.”

The Bear has some options for replacing Imanaga in the replacement spin, and there is some flexibility due to the upcoming schedule. They will drop every Thursday of the next four weeks.

One of their highest prospects, Cade Horton, was 2-1, with Iowa’s ERA of 1.24 in six games. The right-handed had six innings against Buffalo on Sunday.

The Cubs also have veteran right-hander Chris Flexen, who has 110 careers in his professional career.

Imanaga reappeared on Saturday in the New York Mets.

“I think we can choose how to decide that day,” Kussel said.

Starting 29 times last year, Imanaga hit 15-3 with an ERA of 2.91, 174 hits in 173 1/3 innings. He played in the NL All-Star team and finished fourth for the NL rookie of the year.