NL Central Notes: Imanaga, Hayes, Delay, Candelario

Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga was set to take the ball for a begin in opposition to the Cardinals final night time, however after rain brought about the sport to be postponed till July he’s seen his begin pushed again till the membership’s recreation in opposition to the Brewers on Might 29. That scheduling change will give Imanaga a whopping ten days relaxation between his most up-to-date begin in opposition to the Pirates final week and his subsequent, however Patrick Mooney of The Athletic writes that supervisor Craig Counsell made clear that Imanaga’s prolonged layoff wasn’t harm associated, as a substitute describing the choice as a “proactive” effort to handle his workload amid the 30-year-old lefty’s workload.

It’s not essentially information that the Cubs are managing Imanaga’s workload, as he’s began simply two video games on common relaxation to this point this season. By inserting further relaxation day’s into the lefty’s schedule, the membership is hoping to melt Imanaga’s transition from the everyday NPB schedule, the place groups make the most of six-man rotations with sooner or later off every week permitting starters to pitch simply as soon as every week, to MLB’s five-man rotations with much less frequent days off. It’s arduous to argue with the outcomes of Chicago’s plan, as Imanaga has been the perfect beginning pitcher within the sport by the outcomes this season and has authored a historic starting to his massive league profession: his microscopic 0.84 ERA is each the bottom in baseball this 12 months and the bottom of any rookie pitcher’s first 9 begins within the fashionable period.

Imanaga’s peripheral numbers largely again up his stellar efficiency up to now, as nicely; his 27.8% is the Thirteenth-best determine in all of baseball this 12 months amongst certified starters, whereas his 4.3% stroll fee locations him ninth. Solely Chris Sale, Jack Flaherty, and Pablo Lopez have struck out extra batters whereas strolling fewer than Imanaga this 12 months, leaving the 30-year-old’s complex $53MM guarantee with the Cubs showing to be one of many largest steals of the offseason a 3rd of the way in which via the 2024 marketing campaign.

Extra from across the NL Central…

• The Pirates provided updates on a handful of injured gamers right this moment, as famous by Noah Hines of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Most notable amongst these updates was that concerning third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Hayes has been on the shelf for 2 weeks on account of low again irritation however has resumed full baseball actions, and supervisor Derek Shelton instructed reporters (together with Hines) that they are going to meet to debate the following steps of his rehab course of. On condition that encouraging replace, it’s possible to think about Hayes heading out for a rehab project within the coming days, which may permit the third baseman to return to Pittsburgh sooner or later in early June. Jared Triolo has dealt with the new nook whereas Hayes has been on the shelf.
• Sticking with the Pirates, that very same listing of harm updates additionally relays constructive information concerning catcher Jason Delay. The backstop underwent surgery to restore a torn meniscus in his proper knee in mid-April and was anticipated to overlook a minimum of six weeks of motion earlier than present process baseball actions, however is already slated to start out a rehab project simply over a month after present process the process. Delay is at the moment on the 60-day injured listing and would first be eligible to return to motion in early June, though it’s possible his rehab project may last more than that given the prolonged layoff. Yasmani Grandal and Joey Bart have dealt with duties behind the plate in Delay’s absence, and it’s unclear if Delay would return to the large league membership or be optioned to the minor leagues as soon as wholesome sufficient to be activated.
• The Reds scratched infielder Jeimer Candelario from their lineup in opposition to the Dodgers earlier right this moment on account of neck stiffness, in line with Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Candelario, 30, struggled within the early going of his first season with the Reds however has begun to warmth up in latest weeks with a .279/.343/.492 slash line in his final sixteen video games. It’s not but clear if Candelario shall be out for longer than right this moment’s recreation, however even a short absence can be a brutal blow for a Cincinnati membership that’s already with out Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and TJ Friedl on account of accidents in addition to Noelvi Marte on account of a PED suspension. Santiago Espinal and Spencer Steer are beginning tonight at third and first base, respectively, and determine to deal with the infield corners for so long as Candelario is out of motion.