Chicago Cubs left-hander exited Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers after straining his left hamstring, further depleting the already injury-hit starting rotation of the NL Central leaders.
The player sustained the injury while attempting to cover first base during a possible double play in the Cubs’ 4-0 loss. He had also left his previous start early due to cramping in both legs.
“We’ll probably do some imaging to see what’s going on,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “He’s never dealt with a lower-body muscle strain before, so he’s not quite sure what the sensation means. But he definitely felt something. We’ll evaluate it tomorrow and go from there.”
Counsell added that they’ll need more details before deciding whether he will be placed on the injured list. The Cubs are already without lefty Justin Steele for the season due to an elbow injury and righty Javier Assad, who is sidelined with an oblique strain.
If Imanaga ends up on the IL, the team could promote Chris Flexen to the starting rotation. Top prospect Cade Horton is also an option from Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs have upcoming off days on Thursday and May 15, which could help ease rotation strain.
Imanaga was injured in the sixth inning of a scoreless game. With one out and runners on first and second, Christian Yelich hit a ground ball to first baseman Michael Busch. Imanaga ran to cover first in an attempt to turn a 1-6-3 double play, but appeared to be in pain as he moved. After Yelich reached safely, Imanaga grabbed the back of his left leg. Team staff examined him, and he limped off the field after being pulled from the game.
Earlier in the week, Imanaga pitched five innings in a 9-0 win over the Pirates before exiting with leg cramps. On Sunday, he gave up two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings against Milwaukee. He said he felt great prior to the game and is unsure what caused the injury.
“I’m really not sure what’s going on,” Imanaga said via a translator. “We’ll know more tomorrow.”
The 31-year-old Japanese pitcher, who signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Cubs in January 2024, is 18-5 with a 2.89 ERA since joining the team. He finished fourth in last season’s NL Rookie of the Year voting.
The Cubs also held their breath in the ninth inning when outfielder Kyle Tucker seemed to tweak something while sliding into second base on a double steal. After being checked by medical staff, he remained in the game and said afterward that he expects to be ready for Monday’s series opener against the Giants.
“He felt something in his right hip at first, but then said it subsided,” Counsell noted. “We’ll reevaluate tomorrow, but we’re optimistic.”
The Brewers weren’t spared from injury trouble either. Right fielder Sal Frelick exited in the fourth inning with discomfort in his left knee and was scheduled for an MRI. Starting pitcher Freddy Peralta also left after six innings due to a groin issue, though he later minimized any concern.
“I didn’t want it to become worse, but I don’t think it’s anything serious,” Peralta said.