
Shota Imanaga DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings
Player profile
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HT/WT5' 10'' , 175 lbs
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Birthdate09/01/1993 (32)
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Draft InfoUndrafted
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StatusInactive


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.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (hamstring) continues to progress, and the team is targeting next Tuesday for his first bullpen session since landing on the 15-day injured list, according to Watch Marquee's Taylor McGregor. The 31-year-old Japanese southpaw suffered a strained hamstring in his last start back on May 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers but is making progress. The fact that he has yet to throw off a mound, though, likely means that fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back in the Cubs' big-league starting rotation until around mid-June, barring any setbacks when he ramps up. In the meantime, Imanaga should remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues after opening the year with a 3-2 record, 2.82 ERA (4.53 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in his eight starts covering 44 2/3 innings.
