Hamstrings are always tricky to navigate for pitchers, and it seems like Chicago is in no hurry to rush back Imanaga. He is too talented and valuable to this staff, and considering we are still early in the 2025 season, his recovery should be handled with the utmost caution.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/e1ea4396d799739fa949ea84690582e5.jpeg\"\/)
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Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) walks toward the mound to be checked out by a trainer after being injured against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at American Family Field.Michael McLoone-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old was dominant in his 2024 rookie campaign, going 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA and a 3.72 FIP over 173 and 1\/3 innings. Imanaga was rewarded with a fifth-place Cy Young finish and a fourth-place Rookie of the Year finish for his efforts.<\/p>\n
His second year has been no different. Imanaga currently has a 2.82 ERA and a 4.56 FIP with 34 strikeouts to 14 walks, a notch higher than his 2024 totals but still a solid ratio.<\/p>\n
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Without Imanaga, manager Craig Counsell has had to dip even deeper into his pitching depth. He needs more out of starters like Colin Rea and Ben Brown than he may have anticipated during spring training. They have each done a commendable job, as Rea (2.48 ERA, 3.32 FIP) and Brown (4.75 ERA, 3.32 FIP) are lessening the loss of Imanaga.<\/p>\n
However, neither of them possesses the prowess of Imanaga, and his eventual return will be a welcome sight for Chicago.<\/p>\n