Cubs Activate Shota Imanaga, Designate Michael Fulmer Amid Rotation Struggles

Shota Imanaga made a strong comeback from a hamstring injury, allowing just one hit over five innings to help the Chicago Cubs blank the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 and earn a split in their four-game series. His return is seen as a critical boost for a Cubs rotation that has been thin due to injuries to other key starters, and his pre-injury performance of a 2.82 ERA in eight starts highlights his importance to the team. To activate Imanaga, the Cubs made the tough decision to designate reliever Michael Fulmer for assignment, despite his recent strong outings and solid Triple-A numbers. Cubs manager Craig Counsell emphasized the difficulty of letting Fulmer go, citing roster plans rather than performance issues. While the Cubs currently lead the NL Central with a powerful offense, recent losses to stronger teams have exposed pitching vulnerabilities, prompting speculation that the front office may seek additional pitching reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline. The return of Imanaga is therefore seen not just as a morale boost, but as a necessary step to maintain their division lead and bolster postseason hopes.