The Chicago Cubs will be without pitcher Shota Imanaga for the foreseeable future.
The Cubs sent Imanaga to the 15-day injured list on Monday, just one day after he left the team’s 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers early due to a hamstring injury. As a result, the Cubs recalled reliever Gavin Hollowell from the Iowa Cubs.
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Imanaga bolted to cover first after Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich hit a ground ball in the sixth inning of Sunday’s contest at American Family Field. Imanaga pulled up about halfway to the bag, however, and reached back to grab at his left hamstring, clearly in a lot of pain. The Cubs failed to complete the double play, as Yelich just barely beat the throw.
The Cubs quickly pulled Imanaga off the mound, ending his day. Julian Merryweather came in to replace him and swiftly gave up four runs. The Brewers rode that the rest of the way to grab the win.
It marked the second straight start in which Imanaga left early. He exited Tuesday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth inning, too, due to cramping in both quads.
“This week my body, physically, has felt really good,” Imanaga said, via The Athletic. “Even before the game, I felt amazing. Hydration, everything felt great. So there was no sign in the back of my leg before the game or anything like that, so I’m in shock [that this happened].”
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Imanaga has a 3-2 record in eight starts this season, his second with the Cubs. The 31-year-old holds a 2.82 ERA through 44 2/3 innings. Assuming there isn’t a setback in his recovery, he could return for the start of a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds on May 30.
Even with Sunday’s loss, the Cubs took two of three from the Brewers. They hold a 21-14 record heading into Monday’s matchup with the San Francisco Giants, which has them leading the NL Central.
