Shota Imanaga Shines In Return, But Cubs' Rotation Mystery Remains

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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JUNE 26: Shota Imanaga #18 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 26, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images)

Shota Imanaga held up his end of the bargain for the Chicago Cubs, earning his fourth win of the season, in a 3-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In his first start since May 4, the Cubs left-hander looked like his usual self. He threw five scoreless innings, gave up just one hit, walked one, and struck out three. He needed only 77 pitches to get through five frames and left with a 2-0 lead. It was a clean, efficient return for one of the team’s best arms.

The Cubs activated Imanaga from the 15-day injured list at the start of the week. He’d been out nearly two months with a left hamstring strain but had made three minor league rehab starts to get back up to speed. His final tune-up in Triple-A Iowa saw him throw 72 pitches over 4 1/3 scoreless innings. That set him up perfectly for Thursday.

Imanaga’s ERA now sits at 2.54. He’s allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his nine starts this season. The command and tempo were there from the start, and he retired 10 straight Cardinals after giving up a first-inning single.

The Cubs didn’t push his pitch count. They’re clearly easing him back in. Caleb Thielbar took over to start the sixth. And with Imanaga back, manager Craig Counsell now faces a tough challenge.

How Will The Cubs Rotation Shake Out?

Ben Brown and Jameson Taillon are locked in. Cade Horton is pitching well. Colin Rea has provided steady innings. Matthew Boyd is still in the picture, though the Cubs are taking it slow after he was hit by a line drive in his last outing.

Counsell said earlier in the week that he’s not rushing anything. It’s not how he operates. Too much can change. Right now, he’s keeping things open and flexible.

“It’s our job to think in advance, but also, things happen,” Counsell said. “Everything is kind of on the table.”

One option he hasn’t ruled out: a six-man rotation. It could help manage workloads, especially for Imanaga, who is still ramping back up. He was dominant before the injury and looks close to that form again. But the Cubs don’t want to overextend him in his first few starts back.

Cubs Send Down Key Arm Amid Imanaga’s Comeback

To make room for Imanaga on the roster, the Cubs designated right-hander Michael Fulmer for assignment. Fulmer had just returned to the big leagues after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He made two scoreless appearances against the Cardinals this week but was the odd man out.

As far as the rest of the week, Chicago will travel to face the Houston Astros on Friday, with Horton set to start.

Imanaga’s return gives the Cubs a big lift as they try to hold their spot atop the NL Central. They went 25-16 while he was on the IL. Now, with their top lefty back, the rotation is deeper. The decision ahead is about how to line it up — and who stays in.

Counsell hasn’t tipped his hand. That likely will depend on how the next few days go.

Derek Hryn Derek Hryn is a writer for Heavy.com. He has extensive experience covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, along with providing expert fantasy football analysis for DraftKings and SB Nation. His work has been featured at Sports Illustrated, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others. More about Derek Hryn