Shota Imanaga start, Porter Hodge rehab, and Jordan Wicks

As the Chicago Cubs continue to map their approach to the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline, the biggest focus remains on the pitching staff getting healthy. Along those lines, two major returns for the Cubs’ pitching staff will be starting pitcher Shota Imanaga and late-inning relief pitcher Porter Hodge.

In an injury update provided to reporters on Thursday before the Cubs’ game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced that Shota Imanaga will be making another start in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday. Imanaga made his first rehab start in the same league last week, and all accounts were that he looked excellent.

Imanaga’s return will give the Cubs a much-needed boost at the top of their rotation. Beyond that, Imanaga’s return could lead to a change in the role of Ben Brown moving forward. After Brown struggled in his outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, the impression from Craig Counsell was that the young starter may not be long for the rotation.

Cubs Injury Update: Porter Hodge set for a rehab appearance in Triple-A

Porter Hodge appears to be close to his return to the Major League roster as well. Hodge will be making an appearance for the Iowa Cubs on Friday. While Hodge initially went on the IL with an oblique injury that was believed to be minor, he suffered a hip impingement that delayed his ability to resume his throwing program.

Hodge’s imminent return comes at a time when the Cubs’ bullpen seemingly has figured things out. In large part, that is due to Daniel Palencia emerging as the team’s closer in Hodge’s absence. Entering play on Thursday, Palencia has a 1.96 ERA in 21 appearances with 5 saves.

Ryan Pressly deserves some credit as well. After a disastrous outing against the San Francisco Giants on May 6, when he gave up 8 runs, Pressly has been dominant. In 12 innings pitched since that outing, Pressly hasn’t given up a run while striking out 11 and registering 3 holds.

Cubs Injury Update: Jordan Wicks is close to returning to game action

With Triple-A Iowa, Jordan Wicks has resumed his throwing program and is expected to return to game action soon. Wicks suffered a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for much of the past month with the Iowa Cubs.

Wicks is an interesting case for the Cubs moving forward. After an impressive stretch of starts for the Cubs at the end of the 2023 season, he hasn’t found consistent success at the Major League level. Beyond giving the Cubs’ pitching depth, Wicks’ return could have an impact on the Trade Deadline as he likely is an ideal target for selling teams.