The Chicago Cubs are the hottest ticket in baseball right now. This team is leading offensively in almost every major statistical category, and they have no plans of slowing down. It doesn’t matter if it’s Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, or even their back-up catcher Carson Kelly; this team is on another level, and has been stomping out the opposition to the tune of a 22-14 record (as of writing this).

The only problem with this team though……is that their pitching has really taken a beating, when it comes to the “injury bug.” First, it was the CAPTAIN Justin Steele, who is out for the season after having season-ending elbow surgery. And now…..it looks like Japanese phenom Shota Imanaga will be on the mend for a period of time.

Imanaga, for those of you who are unaware, has been a GOD-SEND for Craig Counsell’s bunch ever since he came over from Japan. The 31-year old lefty has certainly positioned himself as one of the best (if not THE BEST) pitcher in this Cubs rotation, posting a stat-line this season consisting of;

3-2 Record, 2.82 ERA, 34 Ks, 1.10 WHIP

The former Yokohama Bay Star has had yet another solid start for the North Siders, and was poised to take over as the “ace” once again with the injury to Steele. But sadly, this routine play to first the other day would end up leaving the 2024 All-Star hobbling off of the field.

Shota Imanaga left the game after an apparent injury following this play. pic.twitter.com/dZJXzSeEoS

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 4, 2025

It is a sad day for Cubs fans across the world. But the question that arises is……should we be worried?

I…..I personally don’t think so. Sure, anything can happen during this IL stint. The crafty lefty could have a setback or two (God forbid), and we could be without him for an extensive period of time. But right now…..he’s really only going to miss three to four starts. If everything goes according to plan, he should be back in about a month or so. And with the RED-HOT offense that we have right now….I can seriously see us just “muscling” our way through his absence. If that makes sense?

Sure, this sucks right now! But there’s no cause for alarm quite yet. Everything’s going to be OK, Cubs fans.

But what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.