Cubs starter Justin Steele’s return will boost the rotation. | AP Photo/Matt York
Matt York/AP Photos
Cubs left-hander Justin Steele is eager to get back on the mound for his second start of the season.
He compared the positive nerves from Opening Day to what he’ll face Monday, when he’s expected to start, manager Craig Counsell said, assuming his bullpen session Saturday goes as planned.
Steele wants to help the Cubs (19-14) navigate a tough stretch with injuries to key starters.
‘‘It’s also a testament to the kind of depth we have here,’’ Steele said Friday. ‘‘A lot of people around the league weren’t aware of the depth we have, with guys like [Javier] Assad, [Hayden Wesneski] starting today. People like Ben Brown are stepping up.’’
Cubs starters have a 3.35 ERA, the fifth-best in the majors after the game Friday, despite right-hander Jameson Taillon and Steele combining for only four starts. Nine pitchers have started a game for the Cubs. The rotation has been a stabilizing force amid the rash of injuries to the lineup.
Getting Steele back, however, will be a boost to the bullpen, too, because of his ability to go deep into games. Last season, he finished 34th in innings pitched among starters (173⅓).
Left-hander Shota Imanaga hasn’t just had a good start for a player in his first major-league season. He’s having a start that would rival the elite class of pitchers.
Imanaga is 5-0 with a 0.78 ERA, 35 strikeouts and a 0.75 WHIP. He won the National League Rookie of the Month award for March/April. Whatever high expectations the Cubs had for Imanaga, he surely has surpassed them.
‘‘He’s pitched incredibly well,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘He’s got his career off to a great start. It’s been fun to watch him just take the next challenge and pass it with flying colors. And to just watch the little things you start to appreciate, like his defensive ability has kind of shown up, and he’s just kind of savvy about handling.’’
The Cubs have needed every bit of Imanaga’s strong start. Only one of his six outings didn’t go at least five innings.
He became the first Cubs pitcher since 1901 to go 4-0 with an ERA below 1.00 and 28 strikeouts in his first five major-league starts. He’s living up to his moniker of ‘‘The Throwing Philosopher.’’
‘‘He’s almost preparing for what’s coming at him, and that makes the adjustments a little bit faster,’’ Counsell said.
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks continues his recovery from a lower-back strain that required a trip to the injured list April 23.
Hendricks pitched Thursday for Double-A Tennessee, allowing two runs and six hits in five innings. It was an encouraging first step as he tries to recapture his form and sharpen his command.
The season has been rough for Hendricks. He has a 12.00 ERA in five starts and has lasted five innings only once, a trend that’s untenable for the bullpen. Counsell said Hendricks next will pitch Tuesday at Triple-A Iowa.
