After leaving Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Shota Imanaga appeared destined to be placed on the 15-day IL ahead of the Cubs’ return to Wrigley Field on Monday night.
The Cubs open a three-game set against the San Francisco Giants on Monday, and before the game, Imanaga was placed on the IL.
Cade Horton’s time in the Cubs’ rotation isn’t now but it might be close
It seemed likely that the Cubs were going to add an extra man in their bullpen, delaying the decision for who would take Imanaga’s spot in the starting rotation. Imanga’s next turn would be against the New York Mets this weekend on the road. As of now, it would seem probable that Chris Flexen would make the start for the Cubs. It’s important to note that the next time through, Imanaga’s spot in the rotation would be at home against the Miami Marlins. For the Cubs, if you’re wanting to create a soft landing for Cade Horton, it would seem that they would prefer for it to be at home against one of the worst teams in the National League.
Imanaga underwent imaging on Monday, so with the Cubs still referring to it as a hamstring strain, it would be a safe bet to suggest the left-handed starting pitcher may miss the next month. Last season, Justin Steele suffered a hamstring strain during his Opening Day start against the Texas Rangers and missed the first month of the season.
As much as it stings to be without Steele and Imanaga, the beginning of May would still be early to think of the Cubs trading for a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Those moves often aren’t available until close to the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline in July. The biggest impact move the Cubs can make before then would be to promote Horton. Having checked all the boxes with Triple-A Iowa this season, Horton’s Major League debut is likely imminent, given the state of the Cubs’ pitching staff.