The Chicago Cubs have placed left-handed pitcher Shōta Imanaga on the 15-day injured list due to a strained left hamstring. He sustained the injury during the sixth inning of Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. This marks the second consecutive start in which Imanaga has experienced leg issues, as he also left his previous outing with leg cramps.
As of now, the severity of Imanaga’s hamstring strain and the expected duration of his absence remain unclear. Prior to the injury, he had made eight starts in the 2025 season, posting a 3–2 record with a 2.82 ERA, 34 strikeouts, and 14 walks over 44⅔ innings. Notably, Imanaga was the Cubs’ sole All-Star in his rookie season and had the honor of starting on Opening Day 2025 in the Tokyo Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In response to Imanaga’s injury, the Cubs have recalled right-handed pitcher Gavin Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa. Hollowell has previously made one major league appearance this season, pitching two scoreless innings against the Dodgers on April 22. In Iowa, he currently holds a 3.86 ERA, a 1.286 WHIP, and has recorded 15 strikeouts over 9⅓ innings.
The Cubs are scheduled to face the San Francisco Giants today, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 4:40 PM PDT. With Imanaga on the injured list, the team may opt to skip his scheduled start, utilize Chris Flexen, or consider calling up prospect Cade Horton from Triple-A Iowa to fill the rotation spot.
