Cubs' Shota Imanaga Placed on 15-Day IL After Strained Hamstring Injury vs. Brewers

Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to a left hamstring strain.

He suffered the injury during Chicago's 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Imanaga grabbed his hamstring after running towards first base in an attempt to turn a double play.

He allowed two earned runs and four hits to go along with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work before leaving the contest.

Imanaga also left his previous start against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to leg cramps.

Despite the lower body issues, he was off to a strong start to his 2025 campaign. In seven appearances entering Sunday's action, he compiled a 3-1 record to go along with a 2.77 ERA and allowed a mere 7.2 hits per nine innings.

Imanaga is also coming off a stellar rookie season with Chicago in 2024, earning an All-Star nod and finishing No. 5 in National League Cy Young Award voting. Through 29 starts, he posted a 2.91 ERA and 1.021 WHIP while racking up 174 strikeouts in 173.1 innings of work.

If Imanaga is forced to miss an extended period of time, it'll be a tough blow to a Cubs rotation that has already experienced injuries to multiple key contributors. Left-hander Justin Steele underwent season-ending elbow surgery, while Javier Assad has yet to make his 2025 debut due to oblique issues.

Chicago has still been able to open the season on a high note, sitting in first place in the NL Central with a 21-14 record.