Bad news for the Chicago Cubs and their fans. Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, one of the most reliable arms in the rotation this MLB season, raised concerns on Sunday after leaving the game against the Milwaukee Brewers due to an apparent muscle injury. It all happened during what seemed like a routine play. Imanaga sprinted to cover first base after a grounder to the infield, and that's when he was visibly in discomfort. He couldn't continue. The Cubs medical team rushed out to check on him, and after a quick evaluation, he was taken out of the game, showing signs of pain and worry on his face.
Shortly after, the Cubs confirmed that his exit was due to a strain in his left hamstring. Although there's no official medical report yet on how long he'll be out, the word 'strain' is never a good sign for a pitcher, especially one who has been crucial at the start of the season. Imanaga has been a revelation since arriving in MLB. With a deceptive repertoire, surgical control, and the poise of a veteran, he has quickly become a fan favorite among Cubs supporters. Losing him for an extended period would be a huge blow for a team competing in a very tight division.
Before his exit, Imanaga was having a solid, albeit quiet, performance. His command wasn't at 100%, but as always, he found a way to compete. However, the concern now isn't his stat line, but his health and availability in the coming weeks. With this injury, the Cubs will have to shuffle their lineup. Who will step up in the rotation if Imanaga has to go on the injured list? Can they keep up the pace without one of their most reliable starters? Answers will come soon, but for now, the atmosphere in the Chicago clubhouse is filled with uncertainty.
On the other side of the field, the Milwaukee Brewers took advantage of Imanaga's exit, defeating the Cubs 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at American Family Field. The Brewers snapped a scoreless tie with four runs in the sixth inning after Imanaga departed with injury, avoiding a sweep with this crucial victory. Freddy Peralta dominated the Cubs over six shutout innings, striking out seven and allowing just four hits.
The game was a pitching duel through the top of the sixth inning before the Brewers got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the sixth. The first run of the game was off of a wild pitch which scored Jackson Chourio, who was on third after Christian Yelich beat the throw to first to break up a double play. The Brewers would make it 2-0 on Dax Cameron's RBI single, his first hit as a Brewer, and then Caleb Durbin followed with a two-RBI double to make it a 4-0 game.
In the ninth inning, the Cubs had two runners in scoring position against closer Trevor Megill. Ian Happ singled to open the frame and Kyle Tucker walked. Happ advanced to third on a flyout and Tucker stole second, but Megill fanned Michael Busch and Niko Hoerner to secure the shutout.
Imanaga's departure was a turning point in the game. Before exiting, he had held the Brewers lineup at bay, but once he left, the Brewers seized the opportunity. Imanaga was charged with two runs in his outing, giving him a 2.82 ERA in his eight appearances this season.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed concern about Imanaga's injury, noting, "He’s never had any lower-body muscle strains, so he’s a little unsure of what the feeling means. But he felt something, for sure. So, we’ll just get it checked out [Monday] and go from there.” Until the team has all the information, Counsell was not ready to speculate about the likelihood of Imanaga landing on the injured list.
As the Cubs look ahead, they will need to consider their options for the rotation. Currently, Imanaga is joined by Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, Ben Brown, and Colin Rea. Options behind that group on the 40-man roster include veteran Chris Flexen and lefty Jordan Wicks. An intriguing possibility could be 23-year-old righty Cade Horton, who has been brilliant with Triple-A Iowa, boasting a 1.24 ERA with 33 strikeouts in six outings.
For now, the Cubs' focus will be on Imanaga's recovery and how to fill the void left by his absence. The team is set to face the Houston Astros starting Monday, May 5, 2025, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM. The situation remains fluid, and Cubs fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on their star pitcher's condition.
