Shota Imanaga DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (hamstring) completed his second bullpen session on Saturday. The left-hander is expected to face live hitters during the next step of his progression. Imanaga has been sidelined with a left hamstring strain since the start of May. However, it appears Imanaga will soon be facing live hitters, which could open the door for a return in early June. Before his injury, the 31-year-old was enjoying a strong start to the season, posting a 2.82 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. Across 44 2/3 innings, he struck out just 34 batters but showed excellent command of his pitches, as he allowed walks at a 7.7% rate. However, he currently sits in the 26th percentile in xERA, which suggests he could face some regression when he returns. When he is activated off the IL, Ben Brown will likely transition to a full-time reliever.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (hamstring) threw a bullpen session of around 25 pitches and went through running/fielding drills on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. He will repeat a similar workout this weekend as he recovers from a strained left hamstring that landed him on the 15-day injured list on May 5. It's been a slow build-up for the 31-year-old Japanese left-hander, but barring a setback, Imanaga should be ready to return to Chicago's starting rotation by mid-June. Because of his long layoff at this point, fantasy managers should expect him to make at least several minor-league rehab starts before returning to the majors. When healthy, Imanaga is a must-start fantasy hurler. In his second season in the big leagues, he went 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in 44 2/3 frames over his eight starts before injuring his hamstring.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Monday that left-hander Shota Imanaga (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. Imanaga has not started a game for the Cubs since tweaking his hamstring on May 4, but he threw on Monday before the team's win over the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field and is ramping up his arm. The 31-year-old veteran southpaw is working his way back from a hamstring injury slowly, and he might need multiple bullpen sessions before facing live hitters and eventually progressing to a minor-league rehab assignment. Even if he avoids a setback, the Japanese left probably won't be back in Chicago's starting rotation until around mid-June. Imanaga is the Cubs' ace when healthy and had gone 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in 44 2/3 innings in his first eight starts before going on the injured list.