The Cubs’ rotation has not had it easy this season—injuries, inconsistencies, and continuous reshuffling have tested the depth more times than fans care to count. However, heading into a vital road stretch, the Cubs finally got a much-needed boost. With Shota Imanaga nearing the long-awaited return, the team’s pitching puzzle is beginning to come together. Yet, that excitement came with a twist, with an unexpected roster decision engaging with a 28-year-old pitcher.
Manager Craig Counsell did not leave any room for guessing. As per Marquee Sports Network, Counsell said, “Yeah, I mean, everything went great. Did what we hoped he would do. He’s in a position to be ready, so he’s going to join us in St. Louis, and we’ll figure out the next steps. Yeah, he’s going to make his next start in the big leagues.” After being sidelined with a hamstring injury since May 4, Shota Imanaga is now going to join, most likely on June 25 against the Cardinals.
However, the plot thickens. In the same breath, the Cubs made a vital move: lefty Genesis Cabrera got the DFA tag, paving the way for Nate Pearson’s recall. The lefty had looked elite with a 3.21 ERA before joining this season — until the star unraveled in the last three outings, surrounding seven earned runs in just three innings and jumping to an 8.68 ERA. Such a meltdown spelled Genesis Cabrera’s end with the team, and to fill this gap? Pearson, who has been scorching Triple‑A Iowa with a 2.22 ERA over 19 relief appearances.
What ties these moves together is urgency. With Justin Steele gone for the season and Javier Assad sidelined, the team’s rotation has been on life support. Shota Imanaga’s return can work as medicine and clear house in the bullpen with Cabrera gone, and Pearson in, is the follow-up treatment.
Now, the fun part is watching how these approaches play out. Will Imanaga reclaim elite status? Can Pearson ride Triple‑A success into real MLB consistency? Then, with limited rotation places, who gets squeezed? One thing is for sure — the team is betting big on these moves, and the Cubs’ playoff hopes could depend on it.
Craig Counsell said Shota Imanaga will join the team in St. Louis, and his next start will be in the big leagues. pic.twitter.com/ZRyCBGTlVi
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 21, 2025
While Imanaga’s return provided a breath, the team was not celebrating for long. Just as one star gears up to return, another potentially heads to the shelf.
Another blow hits Cubs rotation as Matthew Boyd suffers shoulder scare
The timing could not have been worse. With Steele out for the season and Imanaga only just preparing to rejoin the team, the Cubs were dealt another tough hand on Friday night. Their left-hander, Matthew Boyd, exited after five innings against the Mariners after a jarring collision, which left the star nursing a bruised left shoulder. This injury occurred in an awkward game as the star made a catch off J.P. Crawford’s contact to end the fifth. Craig Counsell did not stop and said: “It just stiffened up pretty quickly… There was no way to go back out there.”
Boyd, who has quietly posted an elite 2.84 ERA over 85.2 innings this season, tried to downplay the issue after the game. “It swelled up a little bit… it was more precautionary than anything,” the star said to reporters. That could provide a dose of optimism, however, it does not solve the team’s deeper issue— a rotation hanging by a thread. With Imanaga still working back into full form and Ben Brown already teetering with a 5.57 ERA, Boyd’s status will be analyzed closely over the upcoming days.
The stakes are only getting higher. The roster was asked to carry the load after Boyd’s early exit—and promptly collapsed, giving up seven runs as the team dropped their second straight. It is a worrying trend. Jed Hoyer is already in trade talks to reinforce the team, however, if Boyd misses any time, this urgency could transform into desperation. The team is not just trying to stay afloat in the NL Central—they are doing it with patched sails and very few spare parts.
From Imanaga’s comeback to Boyd’s scare, the Cubs’ pitching staff looks like it is living on borrowed time. With the trade deadline coming quickly and the team clinging to a lead in the division, the Cubs will need luck and smart moves if it want to stay in the hunt.
`
The post Cubs Manager Makes Huge Shota Imanaga Announcement After Extreme Move On 28YO Pitcher appeared first on EssentiallySports.
