Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga messaged Justin Steele Tuesday morning, realizing his rotation mate had perspective on hamstring strains.
Imanaga, on the 15-day IL with a mild left hamstring strain, mentioned he’d by no means earlier than strained a muscle in his decrease physique. However simply final season Steele, now on the 60-day IL following season-ending elbow surgery, had been sidelined by a strained hamstring for about 5 weeks.
“I talked to him about, since he went via one thing related, if one thing does come up within the rehab course of that I’ve questions on, I can ask him,” Imanaga mentioned. “It’s reassuring realizing that there’s someone else that’s gone via it, and if they’ve any recommendation about it, that I can discuss to them.”
The similarities between the 2 accidents are placing. Each left-handed pitchers sustained the accidents whereas making performs within the area – Steele fielding a bunt up the primary final analysis and Imanaga protecting first. Each had been identified with Grade 1 hamstring strains, though there’s some variation inside that designation.
Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell cautioned that Steele’s restoration timeline couldn’t be used as an approximation of Imanaga’s.
“They’re two completely different people, the severity’s completely different, so we’ve simply acquired to take it case by case,” Counsell mentioned. “The powerful half for Shota is he hasn’t skilled decrease physique accidents, in order that’s going to make us somewhat cautious.”
Imanaga is cleared to play catch instantly, which can assist him sustain his arms energy. However Counsell mentioned it could be a pair weeks earlier than the crew has a greater sense of when Imanaga could return from the IL.
“We’ll begin to perceive the place he’s at,” Counsell mentioned. “After which as we begin ramping up throwing with the depth, after which contact the mound, the schedule type of rights itself in some unspecified time in the future.”
Kelly protecting it up
It’s one factor to cobble collectively a handful of spectacular offensive video games initially of the season. However catcher Carson Kelly performed his twentieth sport of the season Monday, bringing his variety of plate appearances to 80.
Getting into Wednesday, he had the most effective OPS (1.320) of any major-league hitter with at the least 25 plate appearances. The subsequent on the checklist was Aaron Decide (1.263).
Kelly’s newest contribution to franchise historical past was his home run Monday, his eighth of the season, which made him the primary Cubs catcher to file that many homers in his first 20 video games of a season since Gabby Hartnett in 1925 (9 residence runs).
“It’s been a number of enjoyable,” Kelly mentioned. “It’s been enjoyable to see all of the arduous work put in and to get outcomes due to it.”
Reward for Horton
Counsell mentioned once more Tuesday that the Cubs haven’t but determined who will begin rather than Imanaga on Saturday in opposition to the Mets. However Cubs high pitching prospect Cade Horton, one of many crew’s choices, has continued to obtain reward.
“Cade’s an superior man, arduous employee and immensely proficient – that’s, it’s apparent, proper, as a first-rounder,” veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd mentioned. “All people else acknowledges that too. And what he’s doing in Triple-A is absolutely, actually cool.”
