Shota Imanaga Starting for I-Cubs Friday

AP Photo/Jeffrey PhelpsSh\u014dta Imanaga has been out since injuring his hamstring on May 4 in Milwaukee, but he is nearing a return. The lefty has made two rehab starts in the Arizona Complex League, going six total innings with no runs allowed on four hits. He struck out eight batters with no walks, and got in extra work in the bullpen after each outing. He showed no ill effects from throwing in 105-degree temps in his latest start, paving the way for a move up the ladder.

The Cubs feel good enough about his progress to skip over other low levels of the minors and bump Imanaga straight to Triple-A Iowa. He will start for the I-Cubs on Friday and could rejoin the big club in St. Louis when…