The Chicago Cubs placed left-hander Shota Imanaga (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a left-hamstring strain, according to 670 The Score's Bruce Levine. Imanaga lands on the shelf after injuring his hamstring during his start on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers when he sprinted to cover first base on a ground ball in the infield. Because we don't exactly know how bad the 31-year-old southpaw's hamstring strain is, we don't have a clear idea of how much time he'll need to miss. Fantasy managers will obviously be hoping it's a minimal IL stay, and Imanaga will be first eligible to return on May 20. The Cubs have multiple options to fill Imanaga's starting-rotation spot in the meantime, with the most intriguing option being right-handed prospect Cade Horton. Veteran Chris Flexen and left-hander Jordan Wicks are other options.

Updating a previous report, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (hamstring) made an early exit from Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The southpaw suffered a leg injury while covering first base in the sixth inning. He exited the contest and has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. He finished the day tossing 5 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out four batters. The expectation is that Imanaga will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. Fantasy managers should prepare for Imanaga to miss time, but will need to check back for a timetable on the southpaw. Chris Flexen or Cade Horton figure to be the primary options to replace Imanaga if he misses time.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (leg) was removed early during Sunday's start against the Milwaukee Brewers with an apparent leg injury. The southpaw was seen limping after covering first base during the sixth inning. Imanga exited the game afterwards and will likely undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. For now, fantasy managers should consider Imanaga as day-to-day until the Cubs give another update on his status. He tossed 5 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out four batters on Sunday. His next start would come against the New York Mets next weekend, assuming he doesn't miss any time.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (leg) is feeling "good" after suffering from leg cramps in his outing on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to manager Craig Counsell. Imanaga will have a "normal day" on Thursday with a focus on more hydration. The Cubs are hopeful it's a "one-time thing," says Counsell. The 31-year-old Japanese southpaw still threw five shutout innings with six hits, one walk and three strikeouts to pick up his third win of the season on Tuesday at PNC Park. Fantasy managers should expect Imanaga to make his next scheduled start this Sunday at American Family Field against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Despite an injury scare on Tuesday, Imanaga should be left in starting lineups this weekend in a tough matchup. He's now 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in his 39 innings over seven starts in 2025.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga left his start on Tuesday after five innings with leg cramps. He was cruising before he was knocked out of the game, shutting out the Pirates over the five frames while allowing six hits, one walk, and striking out three. His ERA for the season is now down to an excellent 2.77, and he should be good to go for his next start, assuming the cramps don't become an ongoing issue. If he stays on his normal schedule, his next start will come on Sunday in Milwaukee.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga pitched well in a 2-1 extra-innings win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Imanaga allowed just one unearned run over five innings while scattering four hits, walking three, and striking out seven but had to settle for a no-decision in the contest. The veteran right-hander was a bit wild in the start but also managed to notch 12 swinging strikes against a dangerous Padres lineup. Imanaga has now made five starts for the Cubs, posting a 2-1 record, 2.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts over 28 2/3 innings of work. Imanaga will look to keep it going in his next start, which is set for Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanga was excellent on the mound during the home opener against the San Diego Padres on Friday. The left-hander was almost perfect outside of a solo home run to Martin Maldonado in the third inning. He allowed four hits, one run, and registered four strikeouts over 7.1 innings of work in the win. Imanga has been impressive through two starts with a 0.98 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts in 18.1 innings of work. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Texas Rangers during his next start.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was excellent on the mound during the home opener against the San Diego Padres on Friday. The left-hander was almost perfect outside of a solo home run to catcher Martin Maldonado in the third inning. He allowed four hits, one run, and registered four strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings of work in the win. Imanaga has been impressive through two starts with a 0.98 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings of work. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Texas Rangers during his next start.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga earned a no-decision in his first start of 2025, but he held the powerful Dodgers' lineup hitless for four innings. He issued a pair of back-to-back walks to start the second inning and two more in the fourth inning but was able to avoid any damage. He struck out Teoscar Hernandez for the first strikeout of the MLB season and finished with two strikeouts on the day. He ended up throwing 69 pitches to get through four innings, so he'll need to improve his efficiency and cut down on walks going forward to go deeper into games. Aside from that, though, the 31-year-old lefty looked great in his first start of his second MLB season and will look to anchor the Cubs rotation once again this season. The Cubs start the stateside part of their schedule Thursday, March 27, with a four-game set in Arizona. The team has not announced its plans yet, but Imanaga will likely get his second start in that series.

The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that left-hander Shota Imanaga will start on Opening Day on March 18 in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Imanaga exceeded expectations in his first year in the big leagues in 2024, making the All-Star team while going 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA (3.72 FIP), 1.02 WHIP and 174:28 K:BB in 173 1/3 innings over his 29 starts. The 31-year-old southpaw came with less fanfare than Japanese righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who he is likely to square off against in Tokyo, but he excelled by limiting hard contact and posting an impressive 4.0 percent walk rate. Imanaga returned excellent value for those that took a chance on him last year, but considering his low .264 BABIP and 3.72 FIP, it would be wise to expect some regression in Year 2. Still, Imanaga is worth drafting as a No. 2 fantasy starting pitcher in 2025.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga will start one of the games in the Tokyo series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Craig Counsell said, "Yes, Shota's going to pitch in Japan. I think that's mandated. I don't think I have a choice." Fantasy managers should expect Justin Steele to get the starting nod in the other game of the series. Imanaga made his MLB debut last season and looked quite comfortable, posting a 2.91 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. He struck out 174 batters across 173 1/3 innings. Imanaga showed elite command of his pitches as he posted a near-perfect four percent walk rate. However, Imanaga generated ground balls at a low 37.2 percent rate, which could cause him some regression for the 2025 season. However, given his elite command, he is a great target when looking to improve your WHIP ratio. He will have a difficult task facing a potent Dodgers lineup in this series, but he should be started in all formats.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was dominant on Sunday, shutting out the Washington Nationals for seven frames in a 5-0 win. Imanaga gave up six hits, walked none, and struck out four in this one. He has been a model of consistency for the Cubs, allowing three runs or less in all but three of his starts this season. His numbers are ace-like, and he should be drafted as one heading into next season. He gets the Reds in his final start of the season, where he will be a clear must-start.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga continued his excellent rookie season in Monday's 9-2 win over the Athletics. Imanaga pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits (including a two-run home run) and three walks with 11 strikeouts. The 31-year-old has seamlessly adapted to Major League Baseball and is now 14-3 with a 3.03 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 9.20 K/9 rate in 28 starts and 166 1/3 IP. His only slight blemish has been his 1.46 HR/9 rate, which was a known part of his game from his time in Japan. His next start will be a favorable one against the Nationals.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga led the way on Wednesday evening in a combined no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The southpaw logged seven innings and allowed just two free passes while striking out seven. Cubs skipper Craig Counsell then turned to Nate Pearson to pitch in the eighth and Porter Hodge to close out the final frame. This was an excellent bounce-back for Imanaga, as he has carried a 3.68 ERA since the start of August. In addition, this was another strong sign that Hodge is growing into a closer role in the Northside as he was called upon to close out the no-hitter. The 23-year-old has tallied two saves in his past five outings with no earned runs and a 1.06 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor who sees the majority of save opportunities down the stretch in Chicago. Imanaga is currently lined up to face the high-powered Los Angeles Dodgers in his next start.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga went six innings in Friday's 7-6 victory over the Nationals, allowing three earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight on the way to picking up his 11th win of the season. It was the southpaw's 15th quality start of the year out of 25 starts, and he's now got a 3.14 ERA on the season with a 1.05 WHIP and a 21.2% K-BB%. The 30-year-old lines up with Pittsburgh at home in his next start, a team he shut down over seven innings at home earlier this season, allowing no runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga continued his excellent rookie season in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Twins. Imanga pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on two hits (including a two-run home run) and a walk with 10 strikeouts. The 20-year-old has made a seamless transition from Nippon Professional Baseball and is now 9-2 with a 3.06 ERA, a 9.34 K/9 rate, and a 1.31 BB/9 rate in 21 starts and 123 1/3 IP. His 1.24 HR/9 rate is even tolerable, given the scouting report on him was occasionally high home run totals. His next matchup will be a tougher one at the Guardians, but Imanaga has clearly proven to be a must-start fantasy pitcher.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga had a stellar Sunday afternoon hurling seven one-run innings while punching out 10 batters with two hits and one walk allowed in a 2-1 extra-inning victory versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. After having a rough 5.67 ERA in June, mostly due to a 10-run blow-up performance against the New York Mets and a couple of short outings from the end of May and beginning of June, Imanaga proved to baseball fans everywhere once again that there is more than just one great "Sho" in town. Imanaga has been superb in three July starts with a 1.89 ERA in three games versus loaded lineups in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Arizona. Paul Skenes was looking like he could runaway with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, but Imanaga's last few performances have gotten him back in the race. It will be a fun battle to watch between these two exciting starting pitchers that is for sure. Look for Imanaga to continue the "Sho" against the Kansas City Royals next weekend.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was brilliant in Wednesday's start against the hosting Baltimore Orioles, firing six shutout innings with six strikeouts. Imanaga netted his ninth win of the season on Wednesday, shutting down the hard-hitting O's lineup on six hits and one walk. Despite a few hiccups here and there this year, the 30-year-old All-Star left-hander heads to the Midsummer Classic with a stellar 2.97 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 98 punchouts and 16 walks over 17 starts (97 innings) for the Cubs during his debut season in the major leagues.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga had his worst outing in the majors on Friday afternoon, giving up 10 runs on 11 hits in three innings in the Cubs' 11-1 loss to the New York Mets. After being credited with the loss Imanaga's record is now 7-2. The lefty allowed three homers to J.D. Martinez, Francisco Alvarez and Brandon Nimmo. Imanaga's ERA rose a full run from 1.90 to 2.96 after the dredging. "Sometimes, when I give my 100% that's not enough. So, I need to figure out unique ways to be better," the Japanese rookie stated after the loss. Imanaga had been due for negative regression with a 3.05 xERA prior to today and he's clearly needing to find new ways to counter batters now that the league has a bit of a book on him. He'll get his next shot to get back on track on Wednesday night in San Francisco against the Giants.