Cubs' Shota Imanaga finds his rookie form and a spot in the pitching power rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While the Chicago Cubs are doing nothing but lifting the victory flag, there are some growing concerns. They have won their last 14 games, but are losing pitchers left and right to the IL.
The team learned they would be without Cade Horton for the season after he exited his April 3 start, but that's not all. Justin Steele is also on the 60-day IL due to UCL revision surgery last year, and recently suffered a setback.
Most recently, the team learned Matthew Boyd would be returning to the IL after a fluke injury while playing with his kids. He tore his meniscus and is scheduled for surgery and will miss at least the next month.
MORE: Cubs-Mets trade proposal makes 'a ton of sense' for Chicago's World Series hopes
Cubs' Shota Imanaga finds his rookie form and a spot in the pitching power rankings
Shota Imanaga was exceptional in his first season with the Cubs back in 2024. He compiled a 15-3 record during the regular season, but hit a bit of a rough patch last year.
He struggled to get much of anything going, leading to a 9-8 record. However, he is looking much better this season as he holds a 3-2 record with a 2.40 ERA across 41.1 innings.
Two weeks ago, he was not ranked in MLB.com's Pitching Power rankings. But he is in this week's edition, being ranked No. 8.
"The starting rotation isn't necessarily high on that list, thanks to both injuries and underperformance. But Imanaga has been an exception to that, and the lefty getting back to his rookie form from 2024 is a huge development on the North Side. After a second-half swoon in '25 and some offseason drama, Imanaga has carried the Cubs' staff with a 2.40 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning through seven outings."
It's going to be important for Imanaga to keep this up. The only thing that is a question mark for the Cubs right now is the starting staff, and he is the glue that is keeping that section together.
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