Shu014dta Imanaga left Sunday’s game in Milwaukee with a left hamstring strain, making him the second of three lefty starters to go on the shelf. And while he won’t be out nearly as long as Justin Steele, and perhaps not even as long as Steel was down at the start of last season, the loss is palpable. With top pitching prospect Cade Horton pitching well in Triple-A, speculation naturally turned to whether the Cubs will promote him to take Imanaga’s spot in the order.
It’s a matter of when, not if, Horton will be called up to the big leagues this season, but not being on the 40-man roster and not being needed until at least Saturday affords the team a little more time to make a decision.