The Cubs have made it clear they’re taking a cautious approach with their All-Star pitcher. Hamstring injuries are especially delicate for pitchers, where one wrong move can extend a short-term absence into a lengthy setback. Fortunately, all signs so far have been encouraging. He’s responding well to treatment, completing his throwing sessions pain-free, and staying consistent with his mechanics—closely tracked using high-speed cameras and biomechanical evaluations at the team’s Mesa facility.
Top star is scheduled to face live hitters this week. If that outing goes well, the team will decide whether to assign him a short rehab stint in the minors or continue his ramp-up internally. Either way, the plan remains to have him back before July—and ensure he stays healthy once he returns.
What’s Next For Imanaga?
For Cubs fans eager to see Imanaga back at Wrigley Field—which is certainly many—the next 10 days will be crucial. If his live batting practice goes well and no setbacks occur, he could start a rehab assignment soon after. This timeline puts his earliest likely return in late June, potentially just in time for an important stretch in the divisional race.
Heading into the July 31 trade deadline, the market for quality starting pitchers is expected to be limited. Few teams are willing to trade top-tier arms, and prices are likely to be very high. This makes internal options like Imanaga even more valuable. He’s already familiar with the team environment, performing well against hitters, and, importantly, has demonstrated the ability to pitch effectively in high-pressure postseason games.
While the Cubs are expected to be active buyers in the coming weeks—which makes sense—the return of one of their most dependable starters should allow them to lean back with confidence rather than lean in out of desperation, especially given their solid position in a competitive NL Central.