CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Cubs are set to receive a colossal boost to their pitching staff as left-handed sensation Shota Imanaga is officially slated to return from the injured list. Imanaga is scheduled to make his highly anticipated first start since May 4th on Thursday, June 23, 2025, facing off against the archrival St. Louis Cardinals, a matchup that promises to electrify Wrigleyville.
Imanaga’s return comes after a significant absence, sidelined since suffering a hamstring strain against the Milwaukee Brewers. His stint on the injured list was a considerable blow to the Cubs’ pitching rotation, which was already navigating challenges following the season-ending loss of ace Justin Steele. This forced the team to lean heavily on other arms like Colin Rea and Cade Horton during his recovery period.
The Japanese phenom’s return is widely expected to be a game-changer for Chicago. Prior to his injury, Imanaga had been a revelation, boasting an impressive 2.82 ERA on the season, quickly becoming a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the rotation. His rehab process has been meticulous and successful, beginning with a solid two-inning outing in the Arizona Complex League on June 9th, followed by an exceptional performance in Triple-A Iowa on June 20th, where he dominated over 4 1/3 innings with no earned runs and eight strikeouts.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell expressed clear satisfaction with Imanaga’s progress, stating, “Everything went great, did what we hoped he would do”. This vote of confidence signals that Imanaga is ready to reclaim his role at the front of the Cubs’ rotation.
While the specific roster move to accommodate Imanaga’s return is pending, it is highly anticipated that either Ben Brown, Cade Horton, or Colin Rea will be the pitcher to be displaced from the rotation, potentially transitioning to a bullpen role.
Imanaga’s re-entry injects much-needed stability, elite performance, and a renewed sense of optimism into the Cubs’ playoff aspirations as they head into a crucial stretch of the season. His presence on the mound is not just a return; it’s a statement.