For the first time in 2025, the absence of Justin Steele and Shōta Imanaga in the Cubs’ starting rotation was painfully obvious during their recent series against the Cincinnati Reds. Some regression was inevitable, and it showed as both Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea struggled at Great American Ball Park, while Ben Brown was hit hard again in the series finale.
Fortunately, the Cubs’ offense stepped up and powered them to a series win. Still, there’s a serious concern: the rotation is rapidly deteriorating, and a new injury has only added to the challenge manager Craig Counsell faces in piecing things together.
Steele won’t return until 2026, but there’s some encouraging news on Imanaga, who went on the injured list in early May due to a hamstring strain. While there’s no set return date, Counsell recently said the Japanese lefty is targeting “deep into June.” Imanaga is making progress—he’s scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and will head to Arizona soon for the next phase of his rehab.
Until then, the Cubs need to find a way to survive with the current state of their rotation.
Ben Brown remains the glaring weak link. Out of 10 starts this season, he’s only had two quality outings and holds a 6.38 ERA over 48 innings. Despite a couple of decent performances in May, he’s been rocked for a 7.76 ERA across his last six starts, averaging under five innings per appearance.
Clearly, the Cubs need to consider other options—because Brown’s struggles are starting to wear down the bullpen. Short starts mean more strain on relievers, something Counsell pointed out last week after the Marlins series.
Brad Keller is too valuable in high-leverage bullpen situations to move into the rotation. That leaves Chris Flexen as the only other pitcher on the roster with recent starting experience.
Rotation depth has been a concern since spring training, when Javier Assad went down with an oblique injury and prospect Brandon Birdsell was sidelined with shoulder issues. The team has already called up top prospect Cade Horton from Triple-A. However, replacing Brown is complicated even further after Jordan Wicks suffered an injury.
Wicks was placed on the IL by Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday after leaving his last start early, facing just one batter. That’s never a good sign, and the team hasn’t released any information about the injury.
Keegan Thompson had recently been stretched out to start in Triple-A as well, but he’s been on the injured list since May 23.
So, outside of potentially shifting Flexen into the rotation, the Cubs’ options are—frankly—not good.
Wicks, at least, had major league experience, even though he had difficulty pitching deep into games. He might have been a viable replacement for Brown. But with Wicks now unavailable, that option is gone too.
Stick with Brown? Try Flexen? Don’t expect a trade to happen anytime soon. The Cubs are more limited than ever—and more than ever, they desperately need a healthy Imanaga back in the rotation.