The Chicago Cubs are building a strong lead in the National League Central division but yet another injury blow could require a decisive move.
The team is enjoying a stellar start from blockbuster trade addition Kyle Tucker. And Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as a bonafide star. But the pitching staff could use some reinforcement.
The team has already lost frontline starter Justin Steele to season-ending elbow surgery and Javier Assad to an oblique injury. And now it could have to adjust to life without ace Shota Imanaga for an extended period.
“Chicago Cubs southpaw Shota Imanaga left Sunday’s 4-0 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers with a strained left hamstring, marking the second consecutive start that saw him depart early with a physical issue,” per RJ Anderson of CBS Sports. “The Cubs have not offered a timetable for Imanaga’s return… Should Imanaga abide by (hamstring injury) precedent, he’ll become the third Cubs starter placed on the IL.”
Imanaga has been stellar for the Cubs in his sophomore season so far, logging a 2.82 ERA and 34 strikeouts in eight starts.
Replacing him in an already-thin rotation won’t be easy. But the Cubs might have a surprising contributor waiting in the wings as The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma revealed team sources believe it could be time to call up Cade Horton.
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“But even before Imanaga’s injury, sources within the organization have indicated they believe Horton is ready to contribute at the highest level,” Sharma wrote. “The Cubs had been hoping and expecting Horton would impact the team this season.”
Horton has been stellar in Triple-A so far this season, with a 1.24 ERA in his first six starts. He’s the team’s number-two overall prospect, per MLB.com. But calling him up would still be a bit of a surprise, given that manager Craig Counsell seemed to rule it out initially.
“If Imanaga heads to the IL and Horton is the choice, this certainly isn’t how the Cubs would have preferred their top pitching prospect to make his debut,” Sharma added. “But in a season in which October is a must and the team looks more than strong enough to make a run, all hands are on deck… Barring surprisingly good news Monday, it might happen a little earlier than anyone expected.”
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