Injury update makes Cubs' matchup against the Dodgers next week that much tougher

The 'weak' portion of the schedule draws to a close for the Chicago Cubs after the Pittsburgh Pirates left town Wednesday night. Thankfully, the Cubs salvaged the finale against the Bucs to open this homestand - and the New York Yankees come to town for a three-game set on Friday.

From there, the Cubs travel to Los Angeles to battle the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers - a tall task for any team, especially one that's more of a fringe club than a legitimate contender. The bad news? That tall task looks even tougher knowing right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will come off the IL to start the series opener on Tuesday in Chavez Ravine.

The pitching prize of last offseason, Yamamoto inked a record-setting 12-year, $325 million pact with the Dodgers. His MLB career got off to a strong start, as he worked to a 2.92 ERA in his first 14 starts. But he hasn't pitched since June 15 due to a triceps injury. The right-hander wasn't sharp in his two rehab starts, but Los Angeles has seen enough and he'll re-join the team for the season's final weeks.

Of course, the Cubs inked their own Japanese standout in free agency last winter, bringing in left-hander Shota Imanaga on a contract that could (and likely will) ultimately wind up at four years and $53 million when it's all said and done. Imanaga has been brilliant this year, keeping his team in virtually every start he's made and earning an All-Star selection in the process.

The season hangs in the balance heading into this weekend's matchup against the Yankees and the Dodgers series on-deck. All signs point to the Cubs, yet again, coming up short in their quest to make their first full-season playoff appearance since 2018. Having to face Yamamoto, even rusty, does little to buoy their quickly sinking hopes.