• Shota Imanaga placed on 15-day injured list with a mild left hamstring strain, prompting a cautious approach from the Chicago Cubs.
• Imanaga remains optimistic and consults with teammate Justin Steele, who previously recovered from a similar hamstring injury.
• The injury further strains the Cubs' pitching rotation, with options like Cade Horton and Chris Flexen potentially filling Imanaga's slot.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga has been placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering a mild left hamstring strain during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs organization is proceeding with caution regarding Imanaga's recovery, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of hamstring injuries. This injury further complicates the Cubs' pitching rotation, which is already dealing with injuries to other key players.

• What: Shota Imanaga suffered a mild left hamstring strain, leading to his placement on the 15-day injured list.
• Who: Shota Imanaga, Craig Counsell (Cubs manager), Justin Steele, Cade Horton, Chris Flexen, Chicago Cubs.
• When: Injury occurred on Sunday during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Imanaga was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday. Steele strained his hamstring on March 28 last year and returned May 6, 2024. Article published May 6, 2025.
• Where: Chicago, Milwaukee, New York (mentioned as future game location).

The injury to Shota Imanaga presents a challenge for the Chicago Cubs, who are already dealing with a depleted pitching rotation. Imanaga's performance thus far has been a valuable asset to the team. The Cubs' cautious approach to his recovery is understandable, given the potential for re-injury with hamstring strains. The team's decision on how to fill Imanaga's spot in the rotation will be crucial in the upcoming games.

Talking to the doctor he even mentioned that it was good that it wasn't like a shoulder or an elbow injury. So, just kind of thinking positively there. With it being a lower-body injury, continue to throw. ... Just kind of taking it from there.

I mean it's the same injury in terms of it's a hamstring injury. I think they're two different individuals. The severity's different, so we just got to take case by case. ... We're just going to progress day by day for a while.

It's reassuring knowing that there's somebody else that's went through it, and if they have any advice about it that I can talk to them.

For me, I try to prepare myself 100 percent for each start. If you think about why the reason the injury was caused, there's probably so many different factors going on. So for me it's just good to take time and kind of reflect on what I need to work on, if it's preparation before the game, and what kind of adjustments I need to make.

Shota Imanaga's hamstring injury creates a temporary setback for the Chicago Cubs, necessitating a cautious recovery plan and a reshuffling of the pitching rotation. Imanaga's positive attitude and consultation with teammate Justin Steele offer some optimism. The Cubs' handling of this situation will be closely watched as they navigate their season.